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Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


Hassan:  a  Fellah 


A  Romance  of  Palestine 


By 

Henry   Gillman 

Author  of  "  Marked  for  Life,"  "  The  Ancient  Men 
of  the  Great  Lakes,"   etc. 


Boston 
Little,  Brown,  and  Company 

1898 


Copyright,  1898, 
BY   HENRY  GILLMAN. 


rights  reserved. 


JOHN  WILSON  AND  SON,  CAMBRIDGE,  U.  S.  A. 


THIS    BOOK    IS    DEDICATED 

BY   PERMISSION 
TO 

'HE    RIGHT   HONOURABLE   WILLIAM   EWART  GLADSTONE,  LL.D. 
THE  SCHOLAR,  THE  STATESMAN,  THE  ORATOR. 


Hassan:   a  Fellah 


CHAPTER   I 

I  SHALL  wait  till  she  returns,"  he  said.  "My 
hope  is  as  the  first-fruits  in  harvest.  My 
heart  is  lifted  up  for  joy  because  of  her.  Surely  love 
comes  of  its  own  accord  !  How  can  a  man  help  it? 
Who  shall  say  it  nay?"  And  he  settled  himself  with 
a  complacent  air  under  the  shelter  of  a  great  rock,  in  a 
position  from  which  he  could  watch  his  sheep  while  they 
cropped  the  early  and  still  meagre  herbage  of  the  hillside. 

Below,  in  the  hollow  of  the  valley,  was  the  principal 
well  of  the  village,  to  which  the  women,  from  long  dis 
tances,  came  to  draw  water;  for  the  well  was  noted  for 
the  abundance  and  purity  of  its  supply  of  the  precious 
liquid.  And  the  words  which  the  stalwart  young  shep 
herd  had  spoken  to  himself  had  reference  to  a  childlike 
girl  who  had  just  tripped  by,  with  nicely-balanced  kulleh, 
or  water-jar,  on  head,  on  her  way  to  the  ain,  or  fountain. 

The  young  man,  Hassan,  his  shepherd's  crook  in  his 
hand,  sat  partly  in  the  shade  of  the  rock,  partly  in  the 
clear  penetrating  blaze  of  the  Palestine  sun,  and,  except 
that  he  was  of  unusually  noble  stature,  was  a  perfect  type 
of  the  native  fellah  or  peasant. 

He  had  not  quite  completed  his  eighteenth  year,  and 
was  as  handsome,  after  his  kind,  as  he  well  could  be. 
The  single  scanty  garment  of  the  country,  of  coarse 
white  cotton,  clung  here  and  there  to  him,  barely  saving 
him  from  the  divine  nudity  of  a  Greek  statue.  On  the 
right  side  the  polished  round  of  the  shoulder  protruded; 
and  from  there,  downward,  over  the  well-turned  flank  and 
thigh,  to  the  tip  of  the  toe,  the  full  sweep  of  his  contour 
was  absolutely  beyond  criticism. 


2  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

It  gladdened  the  heart  to  see  so  much  perfection  in  a 
man. 

The  almost  uniform  equality  of  the  fine  bronze  of  his 
skin  told  of  his  habitual  disregard  of  dress.  His  head, 
for  the  time  being  without  any  other  covering  than  its 
thickly-clustering  raven-black  hair,  was  bent  slightly 
forward,  the  chin  resting  on  his  right  hand.  His  dark 
hazel  eyes  looked  out  confidently  from  under  the  pair 
of  strongly  accentuated  curves  —  narrow  black  dashes 
—  that  formed  his  brows,  and  which  seemed  like  marks 
of  attention  inviting  to  the  inspection  of  his  beauty. 

The  dress,  doubtless,  was  similar  to  that  worn  by 
David  as  he  kept  the  sheep  of  his  father  Jesse  —  a  dress 
sanctioned  by  the  usage  of  scores  upon  scores  of  genera 
tions  of  the  men  of  the  country.  To-day  the  unbreeched 
peasant  of  Palestine,  free  of  all  constraint,  immodestly 
innocent  of  all  shame  in  his  state  of  semi-nudity,  goes  his 
way  in  unconfined  liberty  of  heart  and  limb,  wearing  the 
vesture  that  Abraham  wore,  and  with  the  motion  and 
action  of  a  lord  of  creation.  Habit  and  custom  are 
everything;  and  no  offence  is  taken  where  none  is 
meant. 

No  raiment,  to  be  dress  at  all,  could  certainly  be  less 
conventional.  But  it  had  its  advantages.  It  was  suited 
to  the  climate  and  the  people,  and  its  very  simplicity 
made  it  graceful,  and  permitted  full  and  wholesome 
ventilation  of  all  parts  of  the  body.  Its  longest  sweep 
reached  little  below  the  knee;  and,  as  occasion  required, 
it  could  be  tucked  up  and  rendered  much  shorter.  If 
it  had  the  stains  of  the  outdoor  life  upon  it,  the  odour 
of  the  pasture  also  clung  about  it;  and,  as  old  Isaac 
said,  it  had  "  the  smell  of  a  field  which  the  Lord  hath 
blessed." 

For  cold  weather,  and  morning  and  evening  wear,  was 
the  heavy  brown  and  white  striped  abai,  woven  of  camel's 
or  goat's  hair.  This  was  waterproof,  and  a  perfect  pro 
tection  from  the  storm ;  and,  wrapped  in  it,  a  man  could 
sleep  comfortably  out-of-doors  all  night.  And  peasants, 
and  especially  shepherds,  as  the  season  demanded,  also 
often  might  be  seen  in  a  short  coat  or  jacket  formed  of 
sheepskin,  the  woolly  side  turned  in  or  next  the  body. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  3 

It  was  plain  that  Hassan's  attention  was  more  than 
divided  from  the  care  of  his  sheep  by  his  interest  in  the 
young  girl.  He  watched  her  every  motion  with  appre 
ciative  glance  and  an  earnest  feeling  that  was  not  the 
growth  of  a  day.  Frequently,  on  other  occasions,  had 
he  followed  her  with  ardent  gaze,  and  finding  out  the 
hours  at  which  she  was  wont  to  pass  by,  of  late  had 
managed  to  pasture  his  sheep,  at  such  times,  near  to 
the  way  she  went. 

So  far,  he  had  not  ventured  to  speak  to  her ;  though, 
more  than  once,  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  the  act. 

Even  a  simple  peasant  has  a  peculiar  reserve,  shame- 
facedness,  or  diffidence  under  such  circumstances ;  and 
the  habits  and  customs  of  the  land,  even  in  the  country 
parts,  are  not  friendly  to  very  familiar  intercourse  on  the 
part  of  the  opposite  sexes. 

With  the  Moslem  in  cities,  and  among  the  Turks,  of 
course,  nothing  of  the  kind  is  ever  permitted ;  a  man 
not  even  being  allowed  to  see  his  wife  till  the  night  of 
the  wedding,  or  the  morning  after  their  marriage. 

That  this  last  is  the  prevailing  custom  in  the  Orient, 
is  well  known ;  and  how  long  it  has  kept  a  foothold 
there  is  fully  attested  by  the  story  of  Jacob  and  Leah, 
and  the  sharp  practice  of  Laban  on  the  wedding  night. 
But  the  peasant  in  his  village  has,  under  certain  limits 
and  restraints,  much  greater  freedom  in  this  respect,  and 
from  necessity ;  the  seclusion  of  women,  as  practised  in 
cities  and  towns,  being  out  of  the  question  in  the  country. 
Neither  do  the  women  go  with  face  veiled  in  the  latter, 
as  they  invariably  do  in  the  former.  A  common  saying 
with  the  men,  who  do  not  mince  matters  in  expressing 
themselves  on  the  subject,  is  :  "  How  does  anybody 
know  whether  the  thing  which  is  behind  the  curtain 
be  handsome  or  ugly?"  which  sufficiently  explains 
their  position. 

However,  in  the  case  of  Hassan,  the  young  shepherd, 
there  existed  other  reasons  of  restraining  influence. 

The  girl  resided  in  a  village  only  a  short  distance  from 
his ;  but  between  the  two  villages  had  existed,  from  time 
immemorial,  a  blood-feud  which,  though  it  had  had  its 
origin  in  a  cause  long  since  forgotten,  still  perpetuated 


4  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

itself  in  many  dissentient  customs  and  a  general  unfriendly 
feeling  between  the  communities.  Intermarriage  was 
prohibited,  and  whenever,  under  some  peculiar  circum 
stances,  such  an  event  took  place,  it  was  made  the  occa 
sion  to  stir  up,  from  the  very  depths,  the  old  rancour  and 
its  antiquated  observances. 

Of  late  years,  it  must  be  admitted,  there  had  been,  to  a 
certain  extent,  a  relenting  from  the  worst  phases  of  the 
senseless  enmity.  But  that  it  should  be  altogether  laid 
aside  was  not  to  be  thought  of.  There  is  a  cruel  ad 
herence  to  custom  in  the  Orient,  which  is  scarcely  to  be 
believed  by  those  who  never  have  resided  there. 

Hassan  had  not  inaptly  been  called  "  the  handsome 
young  giant."  This  grand  young  man,  of  noble  form 
and  mien,  physically  a  masterpiece,  and  in  the  full  per 
fection  of  his  manhood  while  yet  in  his  eighteenth  year, 
was  a  descendant  of  those  tall  Canaanites  of  the  hill- 
country,  who,  in  the  days  of  the  Hebrew  invasion  of 
the  land,  struck  such  terror  into  the  hearts  of  the  chil 
dren  of  Israel.  He  was  a  son  of  Anak,  though  the  fact 
had  been  unknown  to  him  and  to  those  among  whom 
he  dwelt, — lost  in  the  misty  trackless  past. 

"Who  can  stand  before  the  children  of  Anak?  "  It 
had  become  a  proverb  more  than  three  thousand  years 
ago.  They  were  described  as  giants ;  and  the  nomadic 
Hebrews,  though  toughened  from  their  forty  years  of 
wandering  in  the  wilderness,  had  wept  cowardly  tears 
as  they  shuddered  at  the  thought  of  encountering  those 
high  and  mighty  men  of  the  hills. 

"  The  people  is  taller  and  greater  than  we,"  they 
cried,  and  they  wanted  to  turn  back  into  Egypt.  "  We 
have  seen  the  giants,  the  sons  of  Anak,  which  come  of 
the  giants :  and  we  were  in  our  own  sight  as  grass 
hoppers,  and  so  we  were  in  their  sight." 

It  was  a  strange  coincidence  that  an  Englishman,  a 
traveller  of  note,  who  had  met  Hassan  while  yet  a  lad, 
and  was  attracted  by  his  tall  stature  and  fine  build,  un 
usual  in  one  of  his  age,  had  called  him  "  a  son  of 
Anak  "  and  given  him  the  name  of  Talmai,  with  refer 
ence  to  the  individual  of  that  name,  who,  at  the  time  of 
the  visit  of  Caleb  and  the  Spies,  was  a  chief  or  prince 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  5 

of  the  Anakim,  living  near  Hebron,  and  nigh  to  the 
Brook  Eshcol,  which  was  even  then,  as  we  know,  cele 
brated  for  the  superior  quality  of  its  grapes,  figs,  and 
pomegranates,  as  it  is  unto  this  day. 

As  in  the  case  of  many  other  usages,  certain  names 
have  a  decided  permanency  among  certain  tribes  of  the 
people  of  Palestine  ;  and  the  Englishman,  aware  of  this, 
and  observing  that  Hassan  smiled,  saying  he  liked  the 
name  well,  for  it  had  been  his  father's  and  his  father's 
father's  name,  made  direct  investigations.  He  found, 
among  other  interesting  facts,  that  Hassan  and  his 
people  were  from  the  hill-country,  not  far  from  Hebron, 
which  stimulated  further  research,  —  the  result  being 
that  he  finally  became  fully  persuaded  in  his  own  mind 
that  the  lusty  youth  was  a  descendant  of  the  Anakim. 

True,  the  ancient  record  states,  as  he  was  aware,  that 
the  Anakim  were  cut  off  utterly  in  the  mountains  of 
Judah,  on  the  incoming  of  the  Israelites.  But  he  con 
sidered  all  such  sweeping  statements  must  be  taken  with 
a  grain  of  salt  —  require  qualification  ;  and  Gaza,  Gath, 
and  Ashdod  are  particularly  excepted  from  the  exter 
mination.  Now  Gath,  the  City  of  Giants,  was  in  the 
hill-country,  and  nearly  four  hundred  years  after  this 
extermination  was  still  the  abode  of  the  Philistines,  and 
sent  out,  to  defy  Israel,  a  notable  giant  in  the  person  of 
Goliath,  whom  David  slew.  Moreover,  subsequently, 
did  not  King  David  take  as  one  of  his  many  wives  the 
daughter  of  Talmai,  king  of  Geshur,  who  bore  him  his 
handsome,  faithless,  but  well-beloved  son  Absalom? 

It,  however,  must  be  added  that  Hassan  gave  little 
heed  to  anything  of  this,  as  connected  with  himself,  re 
garding  the  matter  with  almost  sublime  indifference. 

As  the  girl,  on  her  return  from  the  ain,  approached, 
bearing  on  her  shoulder  the  heavy  water-jar,  Hassan 
arose  and  stood  upright,  filled  with  the  determination 
he  had  formed  to  speak  to  her. 

It  was  an  impulse  he  could  no  longer  resist.  Day 
after  day  it  had  grown  upon  him ;  and  now,  with  the 
fatalism  of  the  East,  he  felt  the  time  had  come.  Ad 
vancing  a  few  steps  to  meet  her,  he  waited  by  the  path 
way  where  she  must  pass. 


6  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

He  had  resumed  his  head-covering,  a  tarboosh  of  some 
what  faded  crimson  with  blue  silk  tassel,  and  surrpunded 
with  turban-like  cloth  of  white,  banded  with  stripes  of  a 
dead-gold  colour. 

It  was  astonishing  to  one  unaccustomed  to  it  to  see 
the  ease  and  rapidity  with  which  he  wound  this  cloth 
into  the  turban  shape  around  his  head.  A  few  deft 
turns  of  the  hand,  and  it  was  done,  the  end  passed  be 
neath  the  folds  securing  all  in  place. 

Standing  thus,  ready  to  receive  her,  his  crook  resting 
against  his  sho-ulder,  he  must  have  presented  a  strong 
likeness  to  the  youth  of  fair  countenance,  afterwards 
known  as  the  shepherd-king,  and  the  man  after  God's 
own  heart,  —  the  sweet  singer  of  Israel,  who  so  many 
centuries  ago  had  tended  sheep  on  these  very  mountain 
sides,  and  who  was  the  result  of  more  than  one  inter 
marriage  with  the  people  of  the  land. 

The  fresh  breeze,  rushing  through  the  valley  and  up 
the  slopes,  no  respecter  of  persons,  and  no  aider  and 
abetter  of  prudery,  at  each  gust,  lightly  swept  aside  his 
loosely-hanging  raiment,  more  fully  revealing  his  per 
fect  form.  He  had  thrust  his  feet  into  his  sandal-like 
slippers,  as  a  protection  from  the  sharp  stones.  How 
large  and  lustrous  his  eyes  looked  !  How  bright  the  red 
of  his  full  lips,  beneath  his  dark  mustache  !  His  crispy, 
almost  wiry  hair,  a  characteristic  of  the -people,  was  now 
concealed  beneath  his  tarboosh,  all  but  a  luxuriantly 
defiant  tuft  which  ravishingly  protruded  in  front.  An 
unusual  glow  lighted  and  warmed  his  olive  cheek. 

Yes,  he  was  an  uncommonly  handsome  man,  —  "  fear 
fully  and  wonderfully  made,"  as  the  Scripture  has  it,  — 
a  noble  representative  descendant  of  the  most  ancient 
people  of  the  land,  even  the  Canaanites,  as  they  gen- 
erically  had  been  named  from  their  country,  which  was 
called  Canaan. 

There  was  not  the  least  expression  of  shame  or  em 
barrassment  on  the  part  of  the  young  girl  as  the  two 
met.  He  saluted  her  with  the  easy,  almost  princely 
manner  of  the  Oriental,  raising  his  hand  with  the  usual 
elegant  gesture  to  his  breast,  lips,  and  forehead. 

"  Niharak-sai'd  —  Good  morning,"  he  said.     "Will  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  7 

damsel  give  me  to  drink?    The  water  is  spent  in  my  bot 
tle,  and  I  am  famished  with  thirst." 

The  lover  spoke  in  his  every  word  and  action ;  for, 
except  in  the  case  of  aged  women,  men  are  not  expected 
to  salute  members  of  the  opposite  sex. 

"  Thou  art  very  welcome,"  she  replied,  and  prepared 
to  lower  the  jar,  in  which  act  he  assisted  her. 

It  is  considered  almost  inhuman  to  refuse  any  one  a 
draught  of  water. 

Having  stooped,  and  satisfied  his  thirst,  he  thanked 
her,  repeating  rapidly,  in  a  single  sweep,  the  courteous 
gesture  of  hand  to  breast,  lips,  and  forehead.  Their 
eyes  met.  They  were  face  to  face. 

This  was  what  he  had  looked  forward  to,  these  many 
days.  And  yet  it  came  to  him  as  a  glad  surprise. 

How  it  warmed  and  quickened  his  blood  !  A  soft,  yet 
what  might  be  considered  a  somewhat  familiar  smile,  and 
an  expression  of  great  satisfaction,  parted  his  full  lips, 
revealing  two  dazzling  rows  of  perfect,  pearly  teeth. 

To  this,  ever  so  slight  a  response  was  elicited  on  her 
part;  and  she  prepared  to  replace  the  jar  upon  her 
shoulder.  But  in  this  he  gently  interrupted  her. 

"  I  have  somewhat  to  say  to  thee." 

"  Say  on,"  she  replied. 

"  Thou  dost  pass  here  very  often." 

"  Every  day." 

"  I  have  watched  thee  coming  and  going,  and  have 
wanted  to  speak  to  thee,  and  ask  thee  to  give  me  of  the 
water  to  quench  my  thirst;  but  I  did  not  make  bold  to 
detain  thee." 

"  I  have  seen  thee  tending  thy  sheep,"  was  her  simple 
response. 

Her  eyes  were  now  cast  down,  very  modestly;  and 
she  partly  concealed  her  face  with  her  white  headdress. 

"  Yes,"  he  said,  "  I  tend  the  sheep  here.    And  —  and," 
reverting  to  the  former  topic  —  the  subject  at  heart  — 
"  I  see  thee  coming  for  water  to  the  ain  —  the  fountain. 
And  —  and  I  should  like  to  help  thee." 

"  It  is  not  necessary  or  fitting  my  lord  should  trouble 
himself  to  do  that." 

"  Oh,  it  is  no  trouble  !     I  should  not  mind  doing  it  for 


8  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

thee,    and    much   more   than  that,  even    if  it    were    a 
trouble." 

At  this  her  great  luminous  eyes  turned  on  him  a  ques 
tioning,  penetrating  glance ;  but  she  said  nothing. 

"  I  have  been  inquiring  about  thee,"  he  resumed ; 
"  and  I  have  found  that,  like  me,  thou  art  an  orphan  — 
without  father  and  mother." 

"  It  is  true.     I  am  an  orphan." 

"  We  should  be  good  friends,  then,"  he  said.  "  We 
ought  to  be  very  kind  to  each  other." 

A  hesitating,  somewhat  startled  look  crossed  her  face. 

"  I  live  at  Malha,"  she  simply  answered. 

"  I  know  it." 

"And  thou  at  Bettir,"  she  added,  as  though  that 
settled  the  question. 

"  Plenty  of  water  at  Bettir ;  thou  hast  not  to  go  far  to 
draw  it,"  was  his  diplomatic  and  significant  remark,  in 
tended  to  suggest  certain  possibilities,  and  divert  her 
attention. 

How  like  a  child  she  looked ;  and  in  mere  years  she 
was  little  better  than  a  child.  She  was  almost  fifteen, 
so  that  there  was  about  three  years'  difference  in  their 
ages ;  but  in  Palestine,  where  men  marry  in  their  early 
teens,  and  women  at  a  still  earlier  age,  and  where  grand 
mothers  of  little  more  than  twenty  may  be  found,  —  to 
all  intents  and  purposes,  he  was  a  man  and  she  a  woman. 
The  Oriental  is  a  precocious  animal. 

Meanwhile,  she  had  replenished  his  porous  water-bottle 
from  her  jar,  restoring  to  the  former  the  wisp  of  straw 
with  which  it  was  stopped  —  a  convenient  but  poor  sub 
stitute  for  cork. 

His  various  little  devices  for  detaining  her  were  at 
length  exhausted.  It  was  not  well  they  should  be  seen 
together.  She  began  to  show  her  anxiety  to  depart ; 
and  as  she  had  quite  a  distance  to  traverse,  and  most  of 
it  steep  climbing,  up  the  slopes  of  the  rocky  tell,  he  felt 
it  best  not  to  delay  her  longer. 

Yet,  though  he  considered  it  hardly  prudent,  he  could 
not  resist  walking  beside  her  for  a  short  distance  on 
her  return,  after  having  restored  her  water-jar  to  her 
shoulder. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  9 

Though  their  hearts  kindled  within  them  as  they  talked 
by  the  way,  their  words  were  few. 

"  Is  it  not  well,  Hilwe?"  he  asked  proudly.  "  I  care 
not  for  the  blood-feud.  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  it. 
And  though  all  the  rest  of  the  people  in  the  two  villages 
should  be  enemies,  I  am  determined  we  shall  be  good 
friends.  Shall  we  not  always  be  friends?  " 

Hilwe  looked  down,  half  afraid. 

"  Yea,  yea.  Shall  it  not  be  so?  "  he  reiterated.  "  Shall 
it  not  be  well?  " 

To  this  her  only  reply  was  a  smile  lighting  up  every 
feature.  But  it  was  answer  enough  for  him. 

They  were  now  within  the  borders  of  the  territory  of 
Malha. 

He  saw  he  must  return. 

With  a  full  heart  he  said  courteously  :  "  Khaterak  — 
By  thy  leave  or  pleasure,"  the  customary  expression 
before  taking  departure. 

Indeed,  it  was  time  for  him  to  attend  to  his  sheep,  and 
gather  them  together,  for  they  had  become  widely  scat 
tered,  as  is  wont  for  sheep  without  the  shepherd. 

"  Thou  hast  a  rough  way  to  go,  up  the  steep  tell,"  he 
said,  glancing  up  the  heights. 

"  Yea.     But  thou  hast  made  it  smooth,"  she  replied. 

As  he  turned  away  from  her,  softly  fell  from  her  lovely 
lips  that  most  beautiful  expression  in  the  Arabic  —  the 
good-bye  or  farewell :  "  Ma'-es-salameh."  This  is  liter 
ally  "With  peace,"  and  means,  "  Go  in  peace,"  or  "  Peace 
abide  with  thee."  He  thought  he  had  never  heard  it 
sound  so  sweetly,  yet  so  sadly. 

"  Allah  yasellamak  —  May  Allah  give  thee  peace,"  he 
replied.  "  Rightly  art  thou  named  Hilwe.  Thou  art 
indeed  sweet." 

This  was  in  accordance  with  the  Moslem  custom,  which 
enjoins  that  in  returning  a  good  wish  you  must  heighten 
or  increase  it,  or  wish  something  better. 

He  more  than  once  turned  to  look  after  her,  as  she 
moved  with  even  pace  over  the  hilly  way,  steadily  balanc 
ing  her  water-jar. 

"  She  is  like  a  gazelle  of  the  mountain,"  he  murmured 
to  himself.  "  My  soul  yearns  for  her  as  the  parched  land 


io  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

for  the  rain.  Allah  be  merciful  to  her,  and  bless 
her." 

And  now  he  had  to  turn  his  attention  to  his  truant 
sheep. 

They  sorely  needed  his  care,  and  were  scattered  widely 
apart,  in  all  directions,  and  where  they  ought  not  to 
be.  But  as  soon  as  he  gave  his  peculiar  cry  or  call, 
every  sheep  raised  its  head,  recognising  his  voice ;  and, 
going  before  them,  he  led  them  into  fresh  and  green 
pastures. 

It  was  an  actual  realisation  of  the  old  psalm.  It  was 
the  putting  into  action  the  words  of  the  Great  Teacher 
in  describing  the  Good  Shepherd  :  "  The  sheep  hear  his 
voice :  and  he  calleth  his  own  sheep  by  name,  and  lead- 
eth  them  out.  .  .  .  He  goeth  before  them,  and  the  sheep 
follow  him :  for  they  know  his  voice." 

And  this  beautiful  sight  is  one  which  may  be  seen,  to 
this  hour,  any  day  in  Palestine.  A  hundred  memories 
and  gentle  impulses  are  stirred  as  one  sees  the  great  flocks 
of  sheep,  accompanied  by  their  black  and  more  briskly- 
moving  comrades,  the  goats,  feeding  up  and  down, 
among  the  huge  out-cropping  rocks  of  the  hillside,  with 
the  alert,  faithful  shepherd  caring  for  them,  and  leading 
them  "  in  the  way  they  should  go." 

Hassan  was  wonderfully  elated  now,  as  he  went  before 
his  flock,  playing  on  his  reed  pipe  or  nay,  calling  to  the 
sheep  and  guiding  them.  He  soon  had  them  all  collected 
and  feeding  together ;  and,  in  the  fulness  of  his  soul,  he 
broke  out  into  singing  one  of  the  weird  minor-like  strains 
of  Palestine,  set  in  one  of  those  crude,  primitive  scales  of 
indefinite  tonality  which  we,  long  ago,  have  passed 
beyond,  and  have  left  far  behind.  It  was  an  archaic  lyric, 
without  any  beauty  of  melody  to  the  unaccustomed  ear, 
yet  full  of  untold  pathos  and  heart-stirring  associations 
to  the  native. 


Doos     ya     lei    -   lee,    Doos    ya 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


II 


Doos    ya      lei  -    lee,    Doos    ya .  .  .         le 


-     1- 


lee.      'Eshke    mah  -  boo  -  bee       fe     -     te    -    n  -  nee. 


"  Leap,  O  my  joy  !  Leap,  O  my  joy  !  "  (repeated) 

"  Ardent  desire  oi  my  beloved  hath  involved  me  in  earnest." 


Everything  seemed  to  stop  to  listen  as  he  sang. 
"  Doos  ya  lellee  !  Doos  ya  lellee !  "  How  seductively 
the  refrain  rang  out  at  the  close  of  each  stanza !  How 
far  the  clear  air  carried  the  sound  !  It  was  startling. 

The  hollows  and  rocky  caverns  echoed  and  re-echoed 
the  rude  barbaric  notes,  as  though  they  were  familiar 
accents,  akin  to  them,  to  which  they  responded  with 
friendly  utterance.  The  sheep,  too,  sympathising  with 
their  master's  happiness,  which  they  well  understood  as 
expressed  in  those  impassioned  resonant  tones,  fed  all  the 
more  contentedly;  while  Hassan  walked  like  a  king 
among  them,  singing  in  deeper  and  louder  outbursts, 
and  as  if  the  music  had  stimulated  him  and  exalted  his 
spirit  to  the  most  exhilarated  pitch. 

And  thus  he  sang : 

"  By  Allah,  I  am  inflamed  with  intense  love  ! 
The  lover,  surely,  is  not  to  be  blamed  : 
How  can  he  hold  back  his  eager  heart  ? 
How  can  he  stay  himself  from  loving  ? 

The  black  eyes  have  overthrown  me. 

The  lips  red  as  pomegranate  have  betrayed  me. 

From  love  of  them  I  began  to  sing, 

And  the  song  hath  increased  my  madness. 

Unite  me  to  my  true  love,  one  night, 

And  if  the  beloved  of  my  heart  come  to  me, 

I  will  bring  her  to  my  mothers  house, 

I  will  make  the  cashmere  shawl  her  canopy. 


12  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

The  crew  of  reproachers  leagued  together 

To  debar  me  from  my  beloved. 

By  Allah,  I  will  not  relinquish  my  love, 

Though  with  swords  they  should  cut  me  in  pieces  ! 

Up  with  me,  O  true  love  !     Let  us  delight  ourselves 

Under  the  shade  of  the  jasmine  : 

We  will  pluck  the  peach  from  its  mother, 

While  the  reproachers  are  unconscious. 

0  ye  beautiful  ones,  fear  God  ! 

And  have  mercy  on  the  lover  for  the  sake  of   God. 
The  love  of  the  fair  is  ordained  by  Him : 
Allah  hath  decreed  it  against  me." 

Then  he  changed  to  another  and  more  plaintive  native 
melody.  This  was  more  positively  minor  than  the  for 
mer,  and  abounded  in  that  remarkable  peculiarity  of 
Eastern  music  —  the  division  of  tones  into  thirds  — 
something  unknown  to  European  music,  which  has  no 
finer  division  than  semitones.  These  Orientals,  spite  of 
their  archaic  scales,  have  a  nice  discriminative  ear. 

Hilwe  still  heard  him  in  the  distance,  and  thrilled  to 
the  sound,  moving  with  gladdened  step.  She  recognised 
the  well-known  air  — the  song  of  a  bridegroom  search 
ing  for  his  missing  bride. 

Perhaps  it  was  the  original,  or,  if  not  that,  an  echo  of 
Solomon's  ancient  "  Love-Song,"  in  its  simple  unaffected 
declaration : 

"  In  the  night  I  arose  and  sought  my  beloved. 

1  sought  her  whom  my  soul  loveth  — 

I  sought  my  bride,  but  I  found  her  not. 
My  life  is  wasted  without  her." 

The  strains,  the  very  notes,  belonged  to  the  people 
and  the  country.  They  were  born  of  the  environment, 
were  its  outcome,  its  creation. 

Besides  those  imperfect  primitive  scales  of  indefinite 
tonality,  already  referred  to,  and  other  as  strange  peculi 
arities  of  the  music,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  language 
itself,  differing  in  many  respects  from  pure  Arabic,  has 
suggestive  indications  of  similar  import;  and  has  pre 
served  and  requires  certain  organs  of  vocalisation  wanting 
in  the  European.  It  seems  impossible  for  the  latter  to 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  13 

produce  exactly  some  of  the  more  characteristic  sounds 
of  the  Arabic,  which  seem  a  survival  of  prehistoric  times, 
and  originally  to  have  been  derived  from  the  lower  ani 
mals.  It  is  significant  that  examples  of  onomatopoeia 
are  most  numerous  in  primitive  tongues. 

Hassan  had  an  unusually  full  deep  voice  for  an  Oriental. 
For,  with  all  their  pronounced  virility,  these  people  fre 
quently  have  a  high,  weak  voice,  almost  falsetto,  and 
speak  in  a  minor  key.  Close  observers  have  said  that 
even  the  cries  of  the  animals  in  the  East  are  all  in  this 
minor  key.  The  natives  themselves  call  the  Arabic  the 
language  of  the  camel,  from  its  peculiar  guttural  tones. 
It  is  curious  to  find  fully-developed,  stalwart  men  with 
querulous,  high-keyed,  whining  voices,  and  totally  lack 
ing  the  chest  tones  of  the  European,  in  whom  they  are 
quick  to  notice  the  opposite  characteristics  and  depth  of 
voice,  which  they  sometimes,  in  ridicule,  mimic,  as  gruff 
and  overbearing. 

In  this,  and  in  a  few  other  points,  Hassan  differed  from 
the  ordinary  fellaheen.  But  his  greatest  difference  was 
in  what  they  themselves  would  call  his  more  civilized 
manners.  Nor  did  they  always  intend  this  in  a  compli 
mentary  sense. 

Hassan,  on  the  present  occasion,  had  other  auditors, 
unknown  to  him  and  out  of  sight  —  three  members  of 
that  terrorising  branch  of  the  mounted  police  known  as 
zaptiehs,  who  had  stopped  at  the  well  to  water  their 
horses.  One  of  the  group,  though  the  youngest,  was 
evidently  an  officer,  for  he  wore  the  undress  or  fatigue 
uniform  of  an  aga  or  captain  of  zaptiehs,  and  his  com 
panions  addressed  him  as  Kiamil  Aga.  He  was  a  sol 
dierly,  well-developed  young  man,  with  clean-cut  limbs, 
and  regular  features.  Alas,  those  regular  features  are 
too  often  a  mask  behind  which  hides  much  irregularity ! 

The  plaintive  strains  of  the  music  touched  a  sympa 
thetic  chord  in  the  breast  of  the  aga,  absorbing  his  atten 
tion.  While  his  mind  was  thus  diverted,  the  women  who 
had  drawn  water  and  filled  the  stone  trough  for  the 
horses,  silently  and  rapidly  disappeared. 

"Why,  where  are  the  women?"  he  cried,  when  he 
turned  and  missed  them. 


14  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  They  have  departed." 

"  How  so?  " 

"  They  know  thee,  Aga." 

At  this  familiar  reply  of  one  of  the  men,  the  aga,  in 
stead  of  being  offended,  burst  out  laughing. 

"  It  is  more  likely  they  know  thee,"  he  presently 
retorted. 

The  man,  however,  modestly  declined  the  honour 
attributed  to  him. 

"  But  to  whom  are  we  indebted  for  the  music  ?  "  asked 
the  captain. 

"  Ah  !  some  fellah  with  his  sheep,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  hill." 

"  And  is  he  sad  or  happy?  " 

"  Oh,  happy!     Why,  that  is  a  love-song,  Aga." 

"  A  love-song !  And  does  the  man  satisfy  his  love  in 
that  way?  " 

"  Partly,  Aga." 

"  Assad,  thou  knowest  entirely  too  much  for  thine  own 
good.  But,  come ;  to  saddle !  Let  us  mount.  The 
horses  have  had  all  the  water  they  want.  We  are  due  in 
Jerusalem  early  to-day,  remember,  and  have  no  time  to 
lose." 

As  they  turned  into  a  bend  in  the  road,  Hassan  caught 
sight  of  them. 

"  There  go  the  zaptiehs,"  he  said,  as  he  stopped  sing 
ing.  "  I  warrant  they  have  been  up  to  some  mischief. 
To  expect  pity  from  them  is  like  begging  a  husband  from 
a  widow." 


CHAPTER   II 

IT  now  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  when  little 
more  than  a  mere  boy,  Hassan  had  once  acted  as 
a  muleteer  to  a  party  of  English  and  American  tourists 
travelling  through  the  Holy  Land.  One  of  these 
strangers,  the  wife  of  an  American  gentleman,  on 
whom  Hassan  was  especially  deputed  to  wait,  took  so 
overweening  a  fancy  to  the  bright,  handsome  lad,  who 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  15 

had  been  so  polite,  attentive  and  kind  to  her  through 
out  the  journey,  that,  not  satisfied  with  giving  him  a 
generous  present  over  and  above  his  pay,  she  persuaded 
her  husband  to  make  inquiries  respecting  him,  with 
the  object  of  having  him  educated. 

The  result  was  that,  for  three  or  four  years,  Hassan 
was  sent  to  one  of  the  schools  kept  by  the  missionaries 
in  Jerusalem.  There  was  the  less  obstruction  offered 
to  this,  from  the  fact  that,  though  a  Moslem,  he  was 
an  orphan,  and  the  pressure  was  not  exerted  which 
otherwise  would  have  been  brought  to  bear  upon  him 
through  his  parents,  had  he  had  such,  by  zealous  and 
fanatic  Mohammedans,  who  usually  look  upon  such 
education  as  a  species  of  proselytising;  though  it  must 
be  confessed  that,  as  to  the  effect  produced,  there  is 
little  or  nothing  whatsoever  to  sustain  any  such  opinion. 

As  is  well  known,  the  conversion  of  a  Moslem  to 
Christianity  is  an  almost  unheard-of  event.  It  is 
nearly  as  rare  as  angel  visits;  far  rarer  than  the  appar 
ent  conversions  from  Judaism.  Indeed,  the  convert 
from  Mohammedanism,  if  such  there  were,  would  not, 
in  all  probability,  be  suffered  to  live  many  days  after 
the  fact  of  his  conversion  became  public.  He  would 
be  promptly  dealt  with  by  the  fanatic  Islamites. 

Any  one  attempting  to  assert  contrary  to  this  in 
Jerusalem  would  not  only  not  be  credited,  but  would 
be  laughed  to  scorn. 

In  Hassan's  case,  at  least,  not  much  change  in  a 
religious  sense  was  to  be  noticed.  Perhaps  it  was 
not  to  be  expected.  Indeed,  it  was  stipulated  he 
should  not  be  interfered  with  in  his  belief,  and  that 
he  should  be  allowed  to  keep  the  Mohammedan  fasts 
and  feasts,  such  as  the  Ramadan,  Bairam,  etc.  If 
such  was  the  shape  of  things  with  him  within  the  walls 
of  the  Christian  school,  it  could  scarcely  be  supposed 
that  after  withdrawal  from  its  influence  he  would  be 
found  lapsing  from  the  Moslem  faith. 

At  the  close  of  those  three  or  four  years  of  instruc 
tion,  the  payments  of  his  American  friend  ceasing, 
Hassan  was  promptly  dismissed  from  the  school,  and 
relegated  back  into  his  former  life. 


1 6  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

After  a  vain  struggle  to  find  employment  in  the 
Holy  City,  he  naturally  fell  back  on  Bettir,  and  resumed 
his  old  life  there. 

He  could  now  read  and  write  as  well  as  speak  Arabic, 
and  had  some  knowledge  of  the  French  language,  as 
well  as  of  the  English  branches  in  general,  including 
arithmetic.  The  sheik  of  the  village  found  him  use 
ful  in  keeping  for  him  the  accounts  of  the  tithes  and 
taxes,  and  Hassan's  employment  in  this  field  gave  him 
a  certain  position  of  importance,  though  an  unenviable 
one,  as  it  roused  an  inevitable  jealousy  and  animosity 
against  him.  His  chief  employment,  however,  was 
his  former  one  of  keeping  sheep;  and  he,  perhaps  too 
easily,  dropped  back  into  it  and  his  old  ways,  once  more. 

There  was  something  inexpressibly  fascinating  and 
natural  to  him  in  lying  under  the  canopy  of  heaven, 
day  after  day,  watching  and  guarding  his  sheep.  To 
feel  the  fresh  breezes  laden  with  the  smell  of  the 
pasture  sweep  over  him  was  in  itself  a  delight.  The 
free,  untrammelled  life,  in  general  unburdened  with 
very  hard  work,  was  suited  to  his  temperament. 

Even  the  simple  change  of  dress  —  back  into  the 
loose  easy-fitting  raiment,  was  a  grateful  relief.  In 
the  school  he  had  been  put  into  the  European  coat 
and  trousers,  and  in  this  attire  he  seemed  quite  another 
individual.  Almost  in  the  flash  of  an  eye  he  cast  his 
shell,  and  what  a  metamorphosis !  He  was  a  different 
animal,  it  seemed.  But  it  was  only  the  old  Hassan, 
again  come  to  life. 

The  principal  relief,  however,  was  the  emancipation 
from  the  control  of  others  and  once  more  being,  to 
a  great  extent,  under  his  own  control.  No  man  is 
inherently  or  by  inclination  a  slave  ;  and  the  life  which 
is  subservient  to  the  whims,  caprices,  and,  in  short, 
the  will  of  others,  is,  no  matter  what  we  may  say, 
more  or  less  in  slavery. 

And  now  we  have  him,  as  we  first  beheld  him,  the 
child  of  Nature;  changed  somewhat  by  his  late  mould 
ing,  it  is  true;  yet,  though  quickened  in  his  intellect 
by  the  education  and  experience  he  had  received  among 
those  Christians  and  Europeans  in  Jerusalem,  dropped 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  17 

back  completely  into  the  life  of  the  peasant,  and,  to 
all  outward  appearances,  in  every  respect  a  fellah  of 
Palestine. 

In  meeting  Hassan,  the  young  girl  Hilwe  had 
naturally  looked  upon  him.  as  her  superior.  This  is 
the  invariable  habit  of  the  country,  where  even  an  old 
woman  will  kiss  the  hand  of  a  mere  boy  with  rever 
ence,  addressing  him  as  "my  lord,"  simply  because  he 
is  a  male  and  she  a  female.  But  successive  meetings 
gradually  mitigated  the  constraint  of  this  high  respect ; 
and  Hilwe  soon  began  to  come  in  contact  with  Hassan 
with  but  little  of  the  reserve  and  shyness  characteris 
ing  her  first  meeting  with  him. 

It  was  Nature  triumphing  over  custom  and  artificially- 
cultured  habit.  Hilwe  was  too  young,  and  of  too  free- 
born  a  spirit  to  have  accepted  many  of  those  cramping 
institutions  with  ease  or  patience.  And  though  she 
lived  in  or  among  them,  to  a  certain  extent  it  might 
be  said  that  she  was  not  of  them. 

Week  after  week,  Hassan  managed  to  pasture  his 
sheep  at  certain  times  each  day  near  to  the  path  she 
would  be  obliged  to  pass.  This,  indeed,  as  we  have 
seen,  he  had  done  long  before  he  had  summoned  cour 
age  and  found  opportunity  to  speak  to  her. 

On  the  day  succeeding  that  first  meeting,  Hilwe 
expected  that,  on  her  return  from  the  fountain,  he 
would  again  speak  to  her,  and  she  was  not  disap 
pointed.  It  cannot  be  denied  it  was  with  something 
more  than  mere  satisfaction  she  saw  him,  as  she 
approached,  leave  his  sheep  and  draw  near  to  the 
pathway. 

There  were  the  inevitable  salutations  and  good 
wishes,  followed  by  the  request  for  water. 

"Give  me  to  drink." 

This  time  the  words  were  spoken  by  him  in  a  more 
confident  accent,  and  with  a  certain  air  of  familiarity 
partly  assumed  for  the  occasion ;  and  were  followed  by 
her  more  than  willing  compliance. 

There  was  something  wonderfully  pleasing  to  her  in 
being  able  to  satisfy  the  wants  of  this  comely  strong 
young  man  of  heroic  build,  her  acknowledged  superior, 


1 8  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

and  that  he  should  be  dependent  on  her  in  anything  — 
even  to  allay  his  thirst. 

As  he  stooped  and  drank,  she  stood,  respectfully 
silent,  watching  him.  She  felt  glad  at  heart  for  his 
sake  that  the  water  was  so  sweet  and  cool. 

Their  looks  were  like  a  conversation ;  and  were  more 
than  words. 

He  raised  his  head  and  thanked  her,  touching  his 
hand  to  his  forehead  in  the  usual  —  indeed,  never- 
omitted  —  graceful  acknowledgment. 

She  lifted  her  eyes,  at  first  timidly,  then  trustfully. 

His  glance  shot  through  her  with  all  the  assured 
dominance  of  the  male;  yet  Hilwe  did  not  lower  her 
gaze,  but  with  native  confidence  let  him  look  upon 
her. 

The  woman  naturally  is  made  to  comply  or  yield. 
Every  action  of  the  man  towards  her  requires  this  of 
her.  It  is  the  result  of  a  combination  of  facts,  moral 
and  physical.  But  in  the  East  all  this  is  especially 
accentuated. 

"Taieeb —  Good.  The  water  is  cool,"  he  said; 
"and  all  the  sweeter  for  coming  from  thy  hand." 

"I  am  well  pleased  thou  findest  it  so,"  she  replied. 

"God  the  most  merciful  be  praised  for  sending  thee 
to  me.  Surely,  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  those  who 
bring  peace  and  comfort. " 

He  spoke  with  a  pleasant  warmth.  Though  he  was 
a  man,  rather  because  he  was  a  man,  he  could  not 
help  but  feel  the  glad  reactive  influence  of  her  great, 
miraculous  eyes,  almost  startling  in  their  mysterious 
beauty,  as  they  held  him  with  a  fascination  that  he 
could  not  resist  —  that  he  did  not  wish  to  resist,  and 
which  was  the  outgrowth  of  their  mutual  feeling. 

As  they  two,  Hassan  and  Hilwe,  stood  together  on 
the  lonely  hillside,  it  was  impossible  not  to  notice  how 
handsome  they  were.  They  seemed  made  for  each 
other;  and  they  knew  it.  Love  had  told  them. 

The  slopes  were  purple  with  thyme,  in  full  flower, 
sweetening  the  air;  and  all  was  so  still  around  them 
they  could  hear  the  low  soft  soughing  of  the  wind 
through  the  grass,  like  the  pulse  of  Nature,  and  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  19 

buzz  of  the  little  brown,  yellow-banded  Syrian  bee,  as 
it  flew  from  blossom  to  blossom,  probing  each  to  its 
depths  for  its  ravished  nectar  which  it  carried  off  to 
store  in  some  rocky  cavity  near  by.  Except  these 
gentle  murmurs  and  the  occasional  bleating  of  a  sheep, 
few  other  sounds  reached  them  in  that  secluded  place. 
These  two  children  of  the  land  seemed  to  grow  out  of 
the  scene,  and  to  belong  peculiarly  to  it,  —  like  the 
primeval  man  and  woman  in  the  unfilled  wilderness, 
the  ancient  Eden  which  they  called  a  garden  or  para 
dise,  as  well  they  might. 

But  if  Hassan  felt  those  warm  influences  control 
him,  how  much  more  so  was  this  the  case  with  Hilwe! 

She  had  spoken  truly  when  she  had  said  to  him,  in 
her  simple  language,  "  I  have  seen  thee  tending  thy 
sheep." 

•She  had  never  passed  below  him,  in  the  winding 
path,  that  her  eyes  had  not  instinctively  been  attracted 
by  the  well-favoured  young  shepherd,  stretched  at  full 
length  upon  the  ground,  or  standing  erect,  straight  as 
an  arrow,  outlined  against  the  sky,  watching  his  flock 
from  some  prominent  crag. 

It  was  only  to  be  expected  that  his  image  should 
leave  its  impression  upon  her. 

And  now  they  were  alone  together,  face  to  face, 
once  more. 

Something  of  the  first  shyness,  it  is  true,  still  lin 
gered  with  them,  and  held  them  in  a  certain  reserve. 
But  behind  this  the  warmer  feelings  gathered  and 
strengthened,  as  a  stream  gathers  to  a  great  body  of 
water  and  an  overwhelming  force  behind  the  restrain 
ing  dam. 

Hassan's  clear  hazel  eyes  swept  with  searching 
glance  the  entire  range  of  landscape.  There  was  no 
one  in  sight.  This  gave  him  courage.  He  stretched 
out  his  hand  to  her,  which  she  took,  after  having 
enveloped  hers  in  a  part  of  her  flowing  raiment ;  an  old 
custom,  a  mark  of  respect ;  for  with  the  Moslems, 
punctilious  etiquette  says  a  woman  is  unclean,  and 
must  not  touch  a  man  with  her  naked  hand. 

"Hilwe,"  he  said,    "I  have  been  thinking  of   thee 


2O  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

ever  since  thou  spakest  to  me  yesterday.  I  have  been 
watching  for  thee.  But  I  began  to  fear  thou  wast  not 
coming  this  morning." 

"Yes;  I  am  late.  I  have  had  much  of  which  thou 
knowest  not  to  delay  me.  Fatima,  my  uncle's  wife, 
giveth  me  more  and  more  to  do  each  day." 

She  had  drawn  before  her  mouth  some  of  her  drapery 
while  speaking  to  him,  a  further  mark  of  respect  and 
of  modesty,  and  as  is  commonly  the  custom  with 
Mohammedan  women  when  addressing  men,  even  when 
well  acquainted  with  them. 

"  I  wish  thou  wouldst  let  me  go  with  thee,  each 
time,  and  help  thee  to  draw  the  water." 

He  spoke  with  downcast  eyes,  in  thoughtful  mood, 
knowing  the  prejudice. 

"No,  no;  that  must  not  be.  It  would  not  be  proper; 
and  it  would  only  make  trouble.  Besides,  I  do  nt)t 
mind  it.  It  is  nothing  to  me  to  draw  the  water.  I 
am  accustomed  to  it." 

Under  the  strength  of  his  emotions  all  the  grace  of 
the  man  awoke  and  projected  itself  from  him.  It  was 
an  immeasurable  power.  Whether  standing  motion 
less  before  her,  or,  in  the  energy  of  his  feeling,  uncon 
sciously  shifting  his  weight,  first  to  one  foot,  then  to 
the  other,  or  suddenly  advancing  a  step  or  two  upon 
her,  all  was  grace,  —  the  natural  outcome  of  the  beauty 
that  was  in  him,  — something  which  cannot  be  taught 
by  the  fencing-master  or  drill-sergeant,  and  which  no 
instructor  in  deportment  ever  yet  imparted. 

This  time,  it  was  evident,  Hilwe  was  in  no  hurry  to 
replace  her  water-jar  and  go  her  way.  Standing  oppo 
site  to  this  strong,  genial  young  man,  of  such  generous 
proportions,  who  spoke  to  her  so  pleasantly,  what 
wonder  if  she  was  beguiled,  moment  after  moment, 
into  delaying  ? 

"Fatima  will  scold  anyway,"  she  thought,  "and  if  I 
am  a  little  late,  what  matters  it?  " 

How  she  loved  to  hear  him  speak !  His  voice  stirred 
her.  But  she  must  not  let  him  perceive  it. 

"  It  is  time  I  were  returning  "  she  said,  to  keep  up 
appearances. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  21 

"Oh,  wait  a  little  longer!"  he  pleaded,  stepping 
between  her  and  the  water-jar,  which  she  apparently 
would  have  raised. 

It  did  not  require  much  persuasion  from  his  lips  to 
detain  her.  Already  she  felt  the  power  of  his  attrac 
tion,  and  resigned  herself  submissively,  for  she  longed 
to  be  with  him.  She  basked  in  his  fervent  presence  as 
the  storm-drenched  bird  basks  in  the  sunshine,  rinding 
there  comfort  and  pleasure. 

There  are  probably  few  if  any  people  in  whom  the 
differentiation  of  sex  is  more  marked  than  it  is  in  the 
Syrian.  If  Hassan  had  one  characteristic  more  pro 
nounced  than  another,  it  was  his  masculine  vitality. 
In  him  his  sex  was  intensified.  He  impressed  you 
with  the  superabundance  of  his  manliness.  He  was 
distinctively  adorned  with  it,  from  the  crown  of  his 
head  to  the  sole  of  his  foot,  and  from  his  very  centre 
to  his  surface,  all  over.  Life,  virile  life,  seemed  to 
breathe  out  of  him  —  ray  out  of  him  in  a  surrounding 
halo  or  aroma,  like  the  aureola  from  a  saint.  There 
was  a  freshness,  a  fulness,  and  a  force  of  this  sexual- 
isation  of  the  life-principle  in  him  which  made  itself 
felt  on  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him.  In  civilised 
society  he  would  have  been  called  uncommonly  pre 
possessing,  and  a  man  to  fall  in  love  with  at  first 
sight. 

But  now  he  was  endowed  with  even  a  higher  and 
more  enthralling  charm.  Love,  the  great  beautifier, 
had  him  in  hand,  and  was  leading  him  whither  he 
would,  and  making  him  all-glorious  within  and  with 
out,  or  as  some,  perhaps,  would  say  —  making  a  great 
fool  of  him. 

The  "  showing  off  "  of  a  man  under  the  eyes  of  the 
woman  he  loves  is  a  phenomenon  of  the  notable  and 
instructive  kind.  This  "  love  display  "  is  seen  through 
out  the  animal  kingdom,  in  bird  and  reptile  as  well  as 
in  beast,  and  man  is  no  exception.  It  is,  doubtless,  to 
some  extent,  an  unconscious  act,  nature  suggesting  and 
stimulating;  and  we  behold  the  debonair  grace,  the 
gallant  posturising,  the  exquisite  strut,  and  the  sump 
tuous  apparelling,  without  the  full  recognition  of  the 


22  Hassan  :   a  Fellah 

honest,  amorous  ardour  of  which  they  are  the  outcome 
or  exponents.  There  is  nothing  either  wrong  or  un 
natural  in  all  this.  It  is  God's  gift.  It  is  as  simple 
as  breathing. 

Within  the  last  few  weeks  Hassan  had  undergone 
this  beautifying  change.  He  had  experienced  this 
wonderful  awakening. 

As,  day  after  day,  he  beheld  the  young  girl  pass  on 
her  errands,  near  by,  the  work  was  accomplished. 
Her  image  was  burnt  in  upon  his  soul;  and  he  felt  he 
must  possess  her  —  must  have  her  for  his  own.  In  the 
sudden  expansion  and  glow  that  came  upon  him,  he 
was  lifted  up  into  a  new  existence.  All  obstacles  and 
impediments  vanished  in  the  presence  of  the  one  fact, 
his  imperious  desire. 

All  her  simple  ways,  her  little  doings  and  slightest 
movements  were  known  to  him  and  studied  by  him,  so 
far  as  he  could  know  and  study  them  under  the  restrict 
ing  circumstances. 

In  polite  life  it  would  have  been  pronounced  a  case 
of  infatuation. 

But,  whatever  might  be  said  on  the  subject,  whatever 
criticism  might  be  made  on  it  by  some  who  from  their 
higher  civilisation  look  down  on  the  emotions  and  acts 
of  those  they  might  be  pleased  to  consider  a  semi- 
barbarous  man  and  woman,  it  must  certainly  be  admitted 
there  was  nothing  vulgar  about  it.  Nature  is  never 
vulgar. 

"  Hilwe,  thou  wouldst  have  no  trouble  drawing  water 
at  Bettir." 

Hassan  spoke  in  a  subdued  tone  and  with  a  slight 
hesitation. 

Hilwe  understood  his  meaning,  but  made  no  reply. 

"There  is  abundance  of  water  there,  and  near  at 
hand, "  he  continued,  warming  with  his  subject.  "  There 
are  living  fountains  of  water  bursting  out  of  the  rock ; 
and  gardens  of  delight,  as  fine  as  King  Suleyman's  at 
Urtas,  below  the  three  great  pools,  • —  the  vast  tanks 
the  wise  king  made  to  water  his  paradise,  — yes,  and 
finer,  full  of  all  manner  of  fruits  and  herbs.  Beautiful 
trees,  such  as  walnut  and  mulberry,  are  plentiful ; 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  23 

pomegranates,  apricots,  figs,  almonds,  peaches  and 
pears  abound ;  and  there  are  many  olive-groves  and 
vineyards. " 

"I  know  it  is  a  pleasant  place;  but  —  " 

A  perplexed,  almost  troubled  look  crossed  Hilwe's 
face  as  she  paused. 

"  How  happy  we  should  be  there !  "  he  proceeded,  as 
if  not  noticing  her  anxious  expression.  "  I  would  do 
everything  for  thee  • — everything  to  make  thee  com 
fortable  and  contented." 

In  the  monotony  of  the  peasant  life  there  is  a  same 
ness  in  the  topics  and  in  the  forms  of  conversation 
which  seems  a  necessary  consequence  of  the  simple 
existence. 

"Thou  dost  not  speak,  Hilwe.  Thou  needst  not  be 
afraid  of  me.  Dost  thou  not  believe  me  ?  Dost  thou 
think  I  would  treat  thee  badly? " 

"  I  am  not  afraid  of  thee ;  I  think  not  that  thou 
wouldst  ill-treat  me ;  but  I  am  ashamed  to  tell  thee  all. " 

"What  dost  thou  mean? "  he  asked,  with  some  token 
of  impatience. 

"The  Thar  —  the  blood-feud,"  was  her  brief  reply. 

"The  Thar.  I  care  nothing  for  it,  as  I  have  told 
thee  already." 

"But  that  is  not  all." 
'  "  Not  all  ? "  he  repeated.   "  What  more  can  there  be  ? " 

"  Thou  sayest  thou  dost  not  care  for  the  Thar.  But 
they  will  make  thee  care.  And"  -after  a  moment's 
silence  —  she  added,  "there  is  worse  than  that.  I  do 
not  know  how  to  tell  thee." 

"  Nay,  speak.     Fear  not,"  he  pleaded. 

"If  I  tell,  it  is  bad;  if  I  keep  silence,  it  is  equally 
bad." 

She  hung  her  head  and  turned  away  her  eyes  from 
his  too  ardent  glance.  He  saw  it  was  something 
serious. 

"Thou  art  ashamed  to  tell  me,"  he  said;  "but  that 
ought  not  to  be.  Thou  shouldst  have  no  secrets  from 
me.  Hold  nothing  back.  Tell  me  all.  Do  not  fear. 
I  shall  not  be  hard  on  thee.  And  if  they  are  evil  tid 
ings,  and  I  must  hear  them,  I  would  rather  have  them 


24  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

from  thy  lips  than  from  another's.  I  can  bear  it 
better." 

"Thou  art  very  kind,"  she  began,  "and  I  believe  all 
thou  sayest;  but  what  am  I  that  thou  shouldst  care 
about  my  troubles  to  take  them  to  heart,  or  why  should 
I  weary  thee  with  my  weeping?  " 

"  Only  show  me  the  matter,  and  I  will  do  all  I  can 
to  help  thee,  even  though  it  take  my  life,"  he  ex 
claimed.  "Show  me  thy  whole  heart." 

She  supported  herself  against  a  fragment  of  rock 
that  had  broken  away  from  the  cliff,  while  her  lips 
parted  slowly: 

"My  uncle  has  promised  me  to  Abd-el-nour. " 

She  added  not  another  word ;  and  it  was  not  needed 
for  Hassan. 

He  was  greatly  moved.      He  was  passionately  angry. 

"What,  that  miserable  old  wretch!"  he  cried. 
"Cursed  be  his  father  and  his  father's  father!  Why, 
the  old  ass  has  three  wives  already;  why  should  he 
want  to  take  a  fourth  ? " 

"The  law  allows  it,"  she  said. 

"  Ay,  so  it  does ;  but  that  does  not  make  it  right. " 

"  I  overheard  them  speaking  of  it  the  other  day,  in 
the  Wady-el-Werd,"  she  continued.  "They  did  not 
know  I  was  so  near  them ;  I  was  hidden  from  them  by 
a  rose-bush,  and  I  heard  every  sound.  Abd-el-nour 
told  my  Uncle  Ismail  he  would  soon  have  the  amount 
made  up  that  he  had  promised  him  for  me." 

"Yes,"  interrupted  Hassan,  "he  would  buy  thee  as 
he  would  buy  a  horse  or  an  ox ;  and,  when  he  had  thee, 
would  use  thee  as  badly  as  a  beast  of  burden,  or 
worse. " 

"I  know  it,"  she  said,  with  a  dejected  air.  "Thou 
speakest  the  truth." 

"  It  would  be  worse  with  thee  then  than  it  is  now. " 

"Yes;  it  is  indeed  so." 

"It  is  hard  to  believe  —  hard  to  think  thy  uncle 
Ismail  would  do  this  thing  to  thee.  How  could  he 
want  to  bring  this  evil  upon  thee?" 

The  young  man's  countenance  had  darkened,  his 
whole  expression  had  changed  in  the  last  few  minutes; 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  25 

so  that  he  looked  like  a  different  being,  and  Hilwe 
feared  to  face  him. 

"It  is  true,"  she  said.  "He  cares  more  for  the 
money  than  for  me.  I  heard  them  talk  of  the  bargain 
as  they  stood  together  under  the  big  olive-tree. 
There,  thou  canst  see  the  very  spot  from  here,  in  the 
hollow  of  the  Wady. "  And  she  pointed  out  the  place, 
as  if  it  were  an  unquestionable  confirmation  of  her 
statement. 


CHAPTER   III 

HASSAN  turned  mechanically  toward  the  direction 
indicated  by  Hilwe. 

The  Wady-el-Werd,  or  Valley  of  Roses,  lay  in  many 
a  winding  curve  below,  with  its  olive-groves,  vineyards 
and  rose-gardens,  the  latter  giving  it  its  name,  while 
above  towered  the  village  of  Malha,  seated  on  its  arid, 
rocky  acclivity.  The  agglomeration  of  houses  on  the 
highest  summit  of  the  conical  tell  or  hill  gave  the 
crowded  village  the  aspect  of  a  fortification.  Bare  and 
bleached,  like  a  calcined  bone,  it  gleamed,  helplessly 
exposed  to  the  unmitigated  glare  of  that  merciless 
Palestine  sun,  which  is  a  burning  as  well  as  a  shining 
light.  It  was  a  relief  to  turn  from  the  pinnacled  vil 
lage  to  the  valley  below,  with  its  green  pastures,  its 
roses  and  olive-groves,  and  long-reaching  multiplied 
shadows. 

It  was  the  only  home  or  place  of  abode  Hilwe  had 
ever  known.  Here  she  went  in  and  out  in  the  monoto 
nous  round  of  her  simple  daily  life,  cognisant  of  next 
to  nothing  of  the  great  outside  world,  save  what  she 
might  have  learned  when,  in  an  occasional  visit,  she 
accompanied  some  of  the  older  women,  conveying  the 
produce  of  their  fields  to  the  market  in  Jerusalem. 

At  such  times  the  men,  the  lords  of  creation,  might 
be  seen  riding  their  donkeys,  while  the  women  tramped 
on  foot  over  the  rocky,  weary  way  with  their  heavy  loads. 


26  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Perhaps  it  was  grapes  they  carried ;  and  picturesque 
enough  they  looked  with  the  tall  baskets  on  their 
heads,  filled  with  the  golden  or  purple  clusters,  and 
wreathed  on  top  with  the  long  trailing  branches  and 
soft  green  leaves  of  the  vine.  Or  the  load  might  be  of 
apricots,  almonds,  figs  or  olives,  or  the  crimson-flushed 
globes  of  the  pomegranate,  the  royal  fruit  with  spiked 
crown. 

In  the  season  of  roses,  the  burden  consisted  of  great 
sacks  and  crates  of  the  fragrant  blossoms,  principally 
to  be  made  into  rose-water  for  sprinkling  the  pilgrims 
and  objects  of  piety  at  the  sacred  shrines  in  the  Holy 
City,  or  the  guests  at  weddings  and  other  festive 
occasions. 

The  roses  in  their  natural  state  were  largely  sold 
in  the  market  or  to  the  hotels;  and  considerable 
quantities  were  bought  by  the  convents  and  other 
religious  establishments.  But  there  were  few  of  the 
old  families  of  Jerusalem  that  did  not  know  how  to 
manufacture  rose-water,  and  that  did  not,  each  year, 
put  up  a  goodly  supply,  drenching  their  favoured  guests 
with  it,  and  using  it  lavishly  in  various  ways.  The 
monks  of  the  great  Armenian  Convent  had,  indeed, 
obtained  a  high  reputation  for  making  a  peculiar  and 
superior  description  of  the  sweet  water. 

So  there  was  a  large  demand,  and  a  high  price  was 
paid  for  this  product  of  the  Valley  of  Roses;  and  the 
rose  harvest  was  always  looked  forward  to  with  much 
interest  and  anxiety  by  the  people  of  Malha.  Even 
the  rose-gardens  along  the  shore  of  the  Mediterranean 
at  Tyre  and  Sidon  had,  not  infrequently,  to  be  drawn 
on  to  eke  out  and  satisfy  the  demand  for  the  supply  of 
the  queenly  flower,  which  in  the  valleys  around  Jeru 
salem  was  of  the  most  intensely  odourous  species, 
resembling  the  damask  and  Provence  roses. 

At  the  time  of  blossoming,  the  fenced  fields  were 
closely  watched  and  guarded  all  day,  and  even  during 
the  night,  to  prevent  depredation  and  theft.  And  early 
each  morning  the  luxuriant  blooms  were  cut  with  much 
rejoicing,  and  immediately  conveyed  to  market. 

All  along  the  winding  road  groups  of  women  might 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  27 

be  seen  bearing  on  their  heads  the  fragrant  burdens 
destined  for  the  ancient  city;  and  Hilwe  was  only  too 
glad  to  be  able  to  escape  from  the  galling  routine  of 
her  wearisome  daily  tasks,  and  join  the  hurrying  troop. 

She  was  light  of  foot,  and  bore  her  share  of  the 
work  well  and  with  spirit;  and  there  was  much  to 
relieve  the  tedium  of  the  way,  the  stimulus  of  the 
company  being  in  itself  a  pleasure. 

Then  there  were  the  wonderful  sights  of  the  city 
and  its  varied  life.  Visitors  from  all  quarters  of  the 
globe  might  be  seen  thronging  the  narrow  streets. 
What  a  revelation  it  was  to  her  to  watch  them  !  —  while 
the  bazaars,  to  her  untutored  mind,  seemed  a  vision 
from  another  world. 

It  is  true  the  loads  borne  over  this  long  distance, 
from  Malha  to  Jerusalem,  were  not  always  of  as  agree 
able  a  kind  as  those  mentioned.  Often  they  were  of 
wood,  the  roots  of  the  olive  or  oak  grubbed  out  of 
the  ground,  and  forming  with  charcoal,  brought  in  in 
sacks  or  paniers,  the  principal  fuel  of  the  land.  At 
the  proper  season  they  consisted  of  great  bundles  of 
grass.  Or  most  frequently,  they  were  water  from  the 
fountain,  carried  in  goat-skins,  for  the  supply  of  the 
wealthier  families  of  the  Holy  City. 

This  water  has  a  great  reputation  for  its  salubrious 
properties;  and  as  Jerusalem,  in  itself,  is  otherwise 
almost  totally  dependent  on  the  rain  which  falls  dur 
ing  the  "rainy  season,"  and  is  stored  for  many  months 
in  underground  cisterns, — which  rain-water,  getting 
low  and  doubtless  full  of  extraneous  matter  towards  the 
autumn,  is,  more  or  less,  dangerous  to  health,  —  all 
those  who  can  afford  it  procure  water  from  some  out 
side  source,  such  as  from  the  well  at  Malha,  or  from 
Ain  Karim,  whose  water  is  held  in  even  higher  repute, 
as  being  from  the  birthplace  of  Saint  John  the  Baptist. 

More  than  once  on  such  occasions  Hassan  had 
formed  one  of  a  company  coming  in  from  Bettir.  And 
though  he  had  kept  apart  with  the  men  of  his  village, 
Hilwe  had  overheard  the  women,  as  they  walked  to 
gether,  commend  him  for  his  good  looks.  Indeed, 
they  did  not  hesitate,  in  what  might  be  considered 


28  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

rather  broad  language,  to  express  their  opinion  of  him, 
pronouncing  him  of  shapely  build,  comely,  and  well- 
favoured  above  the  common,  and,  in  short,  a  man  to  be 
desired. 

And  now,  as  he  stood  beside  her  on  the  hillside,  his 
gaze  directed  to  the  spot  she  had  indicated  in  the 
Valley  of  Roses,  it  all  appeared  like  a  dream  to 
Hilwe. 

"The  impossible  has  come  to  pass,"  she  said. 

He  who  had  seemed  so  far  off  from  her  —  so  unap 
proachable,  was  now  so  near,  speaking  such  kind 
words  as  might  make  any  woman  proud  and  happy. 

And  yet  there  was  a  horrible  dread  overhanging  it 
all.  Yes,  it  was  like  a  nightmare,  from  which  she 
feared  she  would  wake  and  find  him  gone,  and  lost  to 
her  forever. 

She  wanted  to  tell  him  everything  that  had  been 
said  in  that  fateful  conversation  she  had  overheard ; 
but  when  she  saw  the  peculiar  expression  of  his  face, 
she  feared  to  speak  to  him.  Even  when  he  turned  to 
her  once  more,  she  cast  her  eyes  down,  and  covered 
her  mouth  with  her  robe. 

"Hilwe,  it  is  best  I  should  know  it,"  at  last  he  said 
with  a  great  effort.  "  It  is  best  to  tell  me  every  word. 
What  did  they  say?  What  did  thy  uncle  Ismail  and 
Abd-el-nour  say,  under  the  great  olive-tree?  " 

The  sound  of  his  voice  went  through  her  like  fine 
melancholy  music  as  he  spoke,  deep  and  low,  in  a  sub 
dued  but  manly  tone.  She  could  have  died  to  save 
him  the  pain.  She  could  have  done  anything  for  him 
then.  Her  shame  or  shyness  was  forgotten. 

"They  spoke  of  the  coming  harvest,"  she  began, 
"and  the  crop  of  roses,  which  they  said  would  be  abun 
dant  and  fine.  And  Abd-el-nour  said  the  barley- 
harvest  would  be  early  and  good.  And  then  he  counted 
what  everything  would  bring  in  to  him,  — the  lentils, 
the  barley,  wheat,  olives,  grapes,  and  all." 

She  hesitated  for  a  moment,  then  continued. 

"  He  said,  with  what  he  already  had  laid  up,  that  by 
the  time  the  doura  was  ripe  and  garnered  he  would 
have  enough  to  make  up  the  amount  he  had  promised 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  29 

my  uncle  for  me.  I  was  greatly  frightened,  and  I  held 
my  breath  and  did  not  dare  to  move,  fearing  they  would 
hear  or  see  me.  I  crouched  down  behind  the  rose 
bush,  as  I  told  thee,  and  I  had  to  listen  to  everything 
they  said.  I  thought  they  would  never  go,  and  that 
they  would  find  me  and  drag  me  out.  And  there  I  lay 
like  one  half  dead,  until  they  went  away.  And  I  heard 
them  still  talking  as  they  went  up  towards  Malha; 
and  I  am  sure  it  was  about  that." 

A  frightful  look  of  concentrated  rage  gathered  in  the 
young  man's  face,  as  Hilwe  proceeded  in  her  state 
ment.  But,  with  Oriental  self-control,  he  gave  no 
other  outward  evidence  of  his  feelings.  Though  he 
seemed  to  be  at  the  utmost  limit  of  his  endurance,  he 
did  not  permit  himself  to  speak.  The  inward  shock 
and  struggle  had  something  of  the  speechless  agony  of 
the  ferine  creature  in  them. 

"That  is  all.  I  have  told  thee  all,"  she  said,  as  if 
to  elicit  some  reply. 

Still  he  remained  as  one  who  is  dumb. 

"Thou  dost  not  speak.  Thou  sayest  not  one  word," 
exclaimed  Hilwe. 

Receiving  no  response,  at  last  she  ventured  to  look 
up  at  him. 

"  Why  is  thy  countenance  fallen  ?  "  she  asked. 

He  made  no  reply. 

"  Thou  art  angry  with  me ;  —  thou  hatest  me !  "  she 
cried. 

"No,  no,"  he  said.  "How  could  that  be?  It  is 
because  I  love  thee  that  I  feel  so. "  And  he  stretched 
out  his  arms  towards  her. 

Yet  in  the  first  brunt  of  his  blind  despair  it  is  prob 
able  he  included  her  and  all  the  world  in  his  dumb 
hate.  But  this  was  only  for  a  moment. 

As  he  spoke,  his  impulse  was  to  clasp  her  in  his 
arms,  to  press  her  to  his  aching  heart,  poor  fellow  ! 

But  this  is  forbidden  and  dangerous  work;  and  just 
then  came  the  murmur  of  a  soft  silvery  chime  from 
over  the  hill,  and  she  instinctively  drew  away  from 
him. 

They  had  heard  and  recognised  the  sound  simulta- 


30  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

neously.  That  peculiar  intermittent  tinkling  could 
have  but  one  source,  as  they  knew  quite  well.  It  was 
the  melodious  ring  of  the  camels'  bells,  softened  by 
the  distance,  and  which  had  reached  them  before  the 
caravan  appeared  in  sight. 

It  plainly  was  a  large  company;  and  the  beasts  of 
burden  were  heavily  laden  with  merchandise. 

The  cries  of  the  camel-drivers  by  this  time  were 
heard. 

Through  vistas  in  the  great  shouldering  masses  of 
rock  which  outcropped  from  the  greensward,  at  length 
might  be  seen  the  train  of  camels  with  their  curved 
necks  and  malignantly  insolent  expression,  as  they 
strode  by,  into  a  more  distant  road,  leading  into  the 
highway. 

"They  are  not  coming  near  us.  They  are  going 
another  way,"  said  Hassan,  to  reassure  Hilwe;  while 
the  caravan  passed  too  far  off  to  notice  them. 

"It  is  well,"  she  said,  relieved,  when  all  had  gone 
by. 

And  now  he  came  very  close  to  her  while  he  spoke. 

"  I  am  determined  to  see  thine  uncle  Ismail  and  the 
sheik,"  he  said.  "I  am  not  going  to  sit  still  and 
suffer  this  great  shame,  this  evil  thing,  to  come  to 
pass." 

He  lifted  up  his  voice  in  a  proud  and  confident  tone. 

She  kept  her  eyes  bent  down,  and  was  silent. 

"I  am  determined,"  he  repeated. 

And  yet  no  one  knew  better  than  they  did  the  almost 
hopeless  character  of  the  case.  The  prejudices,  cus 
toms  and  hates  of  generations  presented  obstacles  well- 
nigh  insurmountable.  The  superstitious  habits  of  a 
semi-barbarous  people  are  not  easily  overcome;  and  it 
was  these  Hassan  had  undertaken  to  conquer. 

Even  now,  as  they  fondly  supposed  themselves  so 
secure  from  observation,  a  malign  eye  was  watching 
them. 

Hassan,  knowing  too  well  the  dangerous  ground  he 
stood  on,  and  the  risk  they  ran  in  being  seen  together 
under  such  circumstances,  had  more  than  once  swept 
with  sentinel  gaze  the  approaches.  He  appreciated 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  31 

fully  the  uneasiness  manifested  by  Hilwe,  and  felt  he 
was  responsible,  and  must  guard  and  protect  her  from 
any  evil  consequences  which  might  ensue  should  their 
meeting  be  detected,  having  in  the  first  place  taken 
due  precaution  against  being  surprised. 

These  fellaheen  are  savage  in  their  punishment  of 
any  infringement  of  their  immemorial  usages.  They 
seldom  overlook  their  being  tampered  with,  though, 
at  the  same  time,  it  is  true  that  some  of  the  most 
serious  offences  and  crimes  among  them,  including 
even  murder,  can,  with  proper  management,  be  com 
pounded  for,  not  seldom  on  a  money  basis. 

Still  more  often  the  infliction  of  a  sort  of  retaliation 
is  resorted  to,  something  on  the  old  principle  of  "an 
eye  for  an  eye,  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth,"  not  even 
stopping  short  of  "a  life  for  a  life."  The  methods  of 
procedure  in  such  cases  are  not  unfrequently  of  the 
most  extraordinary  and  brutal  character,  and  scarcely 
to  be  believed  by  those  living  under  a  civilised 
government. 

It  was  therefore  not  without  some  trepidation,  at 
least  on  the  part  of  Hilwe,  that,  in  the  midst  of 
Hassan's  more  ardent  demonstrations,  they  suddenly 
heard  the  noise  of  an  approaching  footstep  among  the 
loose  rocks  and  stones  not  far  behind  them.  At  first 
Hassan  was  inclined  to  think  the  sound  might  have 
been  made  by  a  straying  sheep,  or  some  loitering 
member  of  the  caravan  which  had  passed.  But  he  was 
soon  undeceived. 

"It  is  Kadra, "  gasped  Hilwe. 

Turning  quickly  in  the  direction  of  Hilwe's  gaze, 
Hassan  beheld  the  intruder,  who  now  was  rapidly  com 
ing  towards  them. 

The  young  people  had  instantly  sprung  apart ;  and 
Hassan  at  once  began  assisting  Hilwe  to  replace  the 
water-jar  upon  her  head.  This  he  had  succeeded  in 
doing  just  as  Kadra  reached  them. 

Before  them  stood,  in  the  dark-blue  dress  of  the 
country,  dyed  of  the  native  indigo,  an  old  woman  — 
old  at  least  in  appearance,  if  not  in  years,  with  some 
what  of  a  hag-like  aspect.  She  had  a  beak-shaped 


32  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

nose,  and  her  black  eyes  had  a  sharp  unpleasant  glare, 
that  one  had  rather  not  encounter,  for  they  seemed  to 
look  through  and  through  the  unhappy  individual  who 
came  under  their  inspection. 

Over  her  forehead  and  around  her  head,  beneath  the 
flowing  white  drapery  or  veil  which  covered  it,  she 
wore  several  rows  of  the  silver  Turkish  coin  known  as 
the  bishlik,  which  had  been  rendered  convex,  and 
perforated  and  linked  together  for  the  purpose.  Her 
face  was  further  embellished  by  a  plentiful  tatooing  of 
a  bluish  colour.  Not  only  were  stars,  circles  and  dots, 
as  well  as  other  figures  distributed  over  her  cheeks, 
forehead  and  chin,  as  well  as  around  her  eyes,  but  even 
the  tip  of  her  nose  was  not  neglected,  being  ornamented, 
if  so  it  may  be  called,  with  three  significant  clusters  of 
dots.  Her  hands  and  arms  were  a  pictorial  wonder 
with  similar  adornment,  —  only  that,  in  compliance 
with  the  religion,  nothing  that  has  life  was  there  or 
elsewhere  represented  upon  her. 

In  truth,  Kadra's  ugliness  was  almost  phenomenal, 
and  only  seemed  intensified  by  these  artificial  attempts 
to  improve  her  looks.  "The  husband  of  an  ugly 
woman  should  be  blind,"  say  the  natives,  with  their 
unconquerable  love  of  beauty.  It  may  be  added,  she 
was  the  gossip  and  scandalmonger  of  the  village, 
whose  presence  was  dreaded  by  all,  men  and  women, 
and  old  and  young  alike.  Some  said  she  possessed 
the  "  evil  eye  "  ;  and  this  added  to  the  fear  she  inspired, 
and  gave  her  a  certain  influence. 

"Fatima  has  been  asking  for  thee,"  she  said,  with 
a  malicious  grimace,  as  she  came  up,  and  addressing 
Hilwe,  who  was  hastening  to  take  her  departure. 

"I  am  going,"  replied  the  girl,  after  saluting  her. 

"  I  thirsted  and  asked  the  damsel  for  a  little  water, 
and  she  gave  me  to  drink,"  explained  Hassan,  with  an 
ease  and  coolness  worthy  of  a  prince  of  the  blood 
royal. 

"Thou  wast  long  enough  about  it  to  satisfy  a  legion 
of  soldiers,"  retorted  Kadra. 

"  Why  sayest  thou  thus  ?  " 

"I  saw  thee  from  the  hill." 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  33 

"Thou  hadst  naught  to  see,"  answered  the  young 
man,  disdainfully. 

"Had  I  not,  indeed?" 

"Thou  sawest  me  quench  my  thirst." 

"Ah,  I  perceive  the  noble  young  man  chooses  to  be 
playful !  I  tell  thee  I  saw  thy  doings.  I  saw  thee  and 
Hilwe." 

It  was  true  she  had  seen  them  from  the  hill,  and 
had  gone  around  another  way,  determined  to  -steal  upon 
them  unawares,  and  overhear  their  conversation.  And 
had  not  a  loosened  stone  rolled  down  and  given  the 
alarm,  she  would  have  succeeded  in  her  purpose.  As 
it  was,  her  suspicions  were  sufficiently  aroused  in  the 
matter;  and  she  came  to  the  conclusion  that  she  knew 
quite  enough  to  condemn  them,  though  she  had  not 
heard  a  word  of  what  they  had  said. 

As  for  Hassan  and  Hilwe,  they  knew  but  too  well 
it  would  be  next  to  a  miracle  for  Kadra  to  refrain 
from  giving,  with  the  most  exaggerated  colouring,  the 
account  of  what  she  had  seen.  They  were  almost  sure 
it  would  be  told  in  Malha  that  evening.  Their  only 
consolation  was  that  Kadra,  from  her  repeated  slanders 
and  evil-speaking,  had  earned  such  distrust  and  dislike 
on  all  sides,  that  her  story  would  not  be  believed,  but 
would  be  set  down  to  her  maliciousness.  Indeed,  her 
name  had  become,  with  her  neighbors,  the  synonym 
for  falsehood;  so  that,  were  any  improbable  statement 
made,  it  was  common  to  hear  the  remark,  "  Oh,  that  is 
a  '  Kadra  '  !  " 

A  consciousness  of  this  feeling,  no  doubt,  influenced 
the  woman  when,  after  having  stood  her  ground  till 
Hilwe  had  departed,  she  resumed  her  journey  to  the 
fountain.  With  the  most  selfish  calculation,  the  invet 
erate  old  gossip  argued  with  herself  the  pros  and  cons 
of  the  affair.  At  first  she  had  thought  what  a  delicious 
piece  of  scandal  it  would  make  in  the  village;  then 
considered  how,  at  best,  she  would  gain  nothing  by 
revealing  the  facts,  even  could  she  get  them  to  be  be 
lieved;  while  by  keeping  them  secret  she  could  control 
Hassan  and  Hilwe,  and,  perhaps,  levy  tribute  on  them; 
or,  at  least,  get  a  good  backsheesh  from  Hassan. 


34  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Before  she  set  out  on  her  return  trip,  she  had  come 
to  the  conclusion  to  act  on  this  latter  assumption.  At 
least  she  would  try  its  effect.  And  now,  with  her 
filled  water-jar,  she  went  somewhat  out  of  her  way  to 
reach  the  place  to  where  Hassan  meanwhile  had  moved 
with  his  sheep. 

Little  did  he  think  he  should  see  her  to  talk  with 
her  so  soon  again.  True,  at  first  he  had  half  inclined 
to  appeal  to  her  covetousness,  and  bribe  her  to  be 
silent.  But  the  more  he  thought  of  it,  the  less  use 
there  seemed  to  him  to  be  in  taking  such  a  course.  At 
most  it  could  only  avail  to  bridge  over  the  time  till  he 
had  opportunity  to  see  the  sheik  and  the  uncle  of 
Hilwe.  Yet,  under  certain  circumstances,  even  that 
might  prove  of  importance. 

"  Surely,  this  grief  of  mine  of  being  in  love  is  in 
addition  to  my  other  griefs,"  said  Hassan,  in  the 
quaint  language  of  the  country. 

She  found  the  young  man  stretched  at  full  length 
upon  the  ground,  his  shepherd's  crook  cast  aside,  and 
he  seeming  in  anything  but  a  happy  frame  of  mind. 
In  his  trouble  Hassan  looked  more  interesting  and 
handsomer  than  ever;  and,  woman  as  she  was,  perhaps 
this  was  not  without  its  effect  upon  her.  Yet  he  did 
not  appear  to  notice  her. 

As  she  lowered  the  jar  from  her  shoulder,  Hassan 
retained  his  recumbent  posture,  languidly  turning  his 
eyes  on  her,  but  not  attempting  to  assist  her.  He  felt 
there  was  something  sinister  in  her  thus  approaching 
him,  and  he  did  not  know  how  to  take  it. 

With  her  peculiar  disposition,  she  could  not  bear  to 
lose  the  opportunity  of  mocking  him. 

"Ah,  if  it  were  only  Hilwe,"  she  exclaimed,  "how 
soon  he  would  run  to  help  her!  But  the  well-made 
handsome  young  man  lets  the  old  woman  groan  under 
the  burden  without  lifting  a  finger  to  assist  her." 

In  spite  of  his  dejection,  the  humour  of  her  words 
had  the  intended  effect,  and  drew  a  smile  from  Hassan. 
But  still  he  did  not  move  or  speak. 

She  was  emboldened  to  carry  the  joke  further ;  and, 
coming  nearer,  she  offered  him  some  of  the  water. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  35 

"Art  thou  not  thirsty?  Dost  thou  not  want  to 
drink?"  she  asked  in  a  satirical  accent.  "But  I 
plainly  perceive  the  water  thou  thirstest  for  is  of  an 
entirely  different  kind. "  And  lowering  her  voice,  she 
whispered  distinctly,  "Stolen  waters  are  sweet,  and 
bread  eaten  in  secret  is  pleasant." 

Hassan's  eyes  remained  fixed  on  her;  still  he  did 
not  reply,  nor  did  he  move;  but  lay  stretched  out 
before  her,  in  his  original  posture.  And  fascinating 
enough  he  looked  to  turn  the  head  and  capture  the 
heart  of  any  woman,  young  or  old. 

"Hassan,  my  son,"  she  said,  speaking  in  an  earnest 
tone,  while  she  set  aside  the  water,  and  drew  still 
nearer  to  him,  "  I  have  it  in  my  power,  as  is  well 
known  to  thee,  to  do  thee  much  evil  or  a  great  good. 
Which  shall  it  be?  It  is  for  thee  to  decide.  Thou 
shouldst  not  have  spoken  to  the  young  girl.  In  that 
thou  didst  a  grievous  wrong.  As  thou  didst  dare 
venture  thy  affections  on  a  woman  of  Malha,  thou 
shouldst  have  gone,  according  to  our  custom,  to  some 
old  woman  to  speak  for  thee.  Why  didst  thou  not 
come  to  me?  I  would  have  been  thy  go-between, 
thankless  and  dangerous  work  as  it  is  like  to  be." 

Still  there  was  no  reply. 

His  silence  was  exasperating,  and  she  would  have 
left  him,  in  anger;  but  his  great  unearthly-looking 
eyes,  like  the  eyes  of  some  spirit,  held  her,  as  the 
serpent  holds  the  charmed  bird.  Spell-bound,  and 
half-magnetised,  she  felt  something  ominous  must 
happen  —  perhaps  something  fatal  —  at  least  he  must 
move  or  speak,  or  she  must  scream  out  or  go 
wild. 

"  Speak,  Hassan ;  I  beseech  of  thee,  speak  to  me ! 
Merciful  goodness !  is  he  dying  or  dead  that  he  doth 
not  speak  or  move  ?  " 

Then  came  an  uncontrollable  impulse  to  touch  him. 
She  laid  her  hand  upon  his  arm  —  his  naked  chest. 
It  was  a  great  relief.  He  was  warm,  he  was  alive. 
Thank  Allah!  What  a  thrill  went  through  her  from 
the  glowing  flesh ! 

Just  then  a  fine  sheep,  in  tolerable  condition,  came 


36  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

up  to  them,  nibbling  the  grass.  Its  long  fawn-coloured 
ears  drooped  gracefully;  and  its  enormous  tail,  the 
tid-bit  of  the  natives,  was  looped  up,  to  prevent  it 
trailing  on  the  ground.  The  sight  recalled  to  Kadra's 
mind  her  original  purpose  —  at  least,  to  obtain  from 
Hassan  a  good  backsheesh,  a  valuable  present. 

"That  is  a  fine  fat  sheep,"  she  said.  "The  gracious 
and  comely  young  man  Hassan  would  find  it  to  his 
advantage  to  give  it  to  Kadra  —  Kadra,  who  has  it  in 
her  power  to  do  him  much  evil." 

She  placed  her  hand  upon  the  imperial-like,  pointed 
beard  which  covered  his  chin,  taking  hold  of  it,  and 
stroking  it  gently,  to  emphasise  her  request,  as  is  the 
custom,  meaning  there  must  be  no  denial.  And  most 
native  persons  consider  that  a  petition  so  presented 
must  not  be  refused,  if  it  is  possible,  within  reasonable 
limits,  to  grant  it. 

"Will  not  my  lord  favourably  consider  my  request?  " 
she  asked. 

Suddenly,  without  the  least  warning,  he  threw  his 
head  forward,  and  caught  her  hand  in  his  mouth,  with 
a  snap  like  that  of  a  wild  animal,  biting  sharply  into 
the  flesh  with  his  bright,  milk-white  teeth. 

A  loud  yell  burst  from  her  lips,  and  she  flung  her 
self  backward  in  an  agony  of  pain  and  terror;  but  prob 
ably  suffering  more  from  the  latter  than  the  former. 

"Thou  hast  bitten  me  to  the  bone,"  she  screamed. 

"What  does  all  this  mean?"  said  Hassan,  affecting 
great  astonishment,  and  at  length  sitting  up,  and  finally 
standing  erect. 

"Thou  hast  bitten  me  badly,"  she  repeated,  nursing 
her  hand. 

It  was  evident  he  had  formed  his  purpose,  and  was 
carrying  it  out. 

"  What  art  thou  talking  about  ?  Thy  words  are  as 
those  of  the  foolish  woman.  What  art  thou  trying  to 
say?" 

"I  have  already  told  thee, "  she  answered  bitterly. 
"Thinkest  thou  I  am  blind,  and  did  not  see  thee  with 
the  damsel?" 

"Because  I,  a  man  of  Bettir,   when  perishing  with 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  37 

thirst,  ask  a  damsel  from  Malha  for  a  draught  of  water, 
and  she  stops  and  gives  me  to  drink,  dost  thou  suppose 
I  am  such  an  one  as  to  imagine  that  she  favours  me  in 
the  least  degree,  any  more  than  I  favour  her,  or  that  I 
have  found  grace  in  her  sight,  any  more  than  she  has 
in  mine?  and  that  with  the  Thar — the  immemorial 
blood-feud  staring  us  in  the  face  —  either  of  us  could 
have  the  most  remote  idea  of  my  choosing  her  to  be  my 
wife?  " 

He  felt  he  must  deceive  Kadra  to  the  utmost,  to 
protect  Hilwe  from  her  tongue. 

For  a  moment  Kadra,  taken  aback  by  this  sudden 
and  most  unexpected  outburst,  was  struck  dumb ;  and, 
a  wonderful  fact  with  her,  had  nothing  to  say. 

"A  woman  of  thy  judgment  ought  to  know  better," 
continued  Hassan,  scornfully.  "  I  really  thought  better 
of  thee.  Wouldst  thou  have  me  measure  the  moon  ?  Or 
why  should  I  pull  down  a  mosque  for  a  brick?  What 
is  one  woman  more  than  another  to  me?  " 

"But  I  saw  thee  and  Hilwe  both  together;  and  what 
could  I  think?"  returned  Kadra,  at  last  finding  words. 
"And  what  madest  thou  bite  me?"  she  asked,  still 
pressing  her  hand. 

"  Bite  thee  ! "  exclaimed  Hassan,  in  an  amazed  tone. 

"  Yes,  verily." 

"  What  meanest  thou  ?  " 

"  I  came  to  thee  as  a  friend,  and  thou  hast  bitten  me. 
Can  anything  be  worse  than  that?  Thou  didst  act 
like  a  wild  beast,  and  as  if  thou  wast  demented." 

He  took  her  hand  in  his,  and  examined  it  closely,  as 
if  it  were  difficult  to  see  the  hurt. 

"As  to  the  hand,  it  may  not  be  well  before  thou  art 
a  third  time  married,"  he  answered  with  a  laugh, 
applying  a  proverb  of  the  country,  with  an  allusion 
well  understood  by  Kadra,  who  already  had  had  two 
matrimonial  experiences.  "  Of  course  a  woman  of  thy 
worth  and  good  looks  will  have  no  difficulty  in  speedily 
getting  a  third  husband." 

A  self-satisfied  smile  on  Kadra' s  lips  showed  that 
the  words  had  their  intended  result.  She  drew  herself 
up,  and  again  came  near  Hassan. 


38  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Praise  be  to  Allah,  I  am  not  so  bad-looking.  Nor 
am  I  as  old  as  I  look.  Am  I  ?  " 

"  Far  from  it,"  was  his  terse  reply. 

"  But  thou  knowest,  in  spite  of  what  thou  sayest, 
Hassan,  thy  mind  is  set  on  the  damsel.  Love  and 
musk  do  not  remain  concealed.  I  could  be  of  good 
help  to  thee;  or  do  thee  much  evil.  And  there  is 
that  sheep.  Dost  thou  not  think  thou  wouldst  find  it 
profitable  to  give  it  to  me?" 

"  As  to  the  daughter  of  her  people,  what  can  she  be 
to  me,  as  already  I  have  told  thee?  Neither  of  us  is 
so  foolish  as  to  try  for  what  is  out  of  our  reach.  But 
so  far  as  the  sheep  is  concerned,  that  is  different.  I 
can  refuse  thee  nothing  thou  askest  of  me,  Kadra. 
The  sheep  is  thine.  Only  leave  it  with  me  for  a  few 
days  longer,  and  it  will  be  in  better  condition  to  give 
it  to  thee.  Meanwhile,  say  nothing  as  to  what  thou 
hast  seen.  There  is  naught  in  it.  And  why  make 
more  mischief?  The  blood-feud  is  bad  enough." 

He  felt  the  postponement  in  giving  her  the  sheep 
would  help  to  keep  her  on  her  best  behaviour. 

"Blessed  mayest  thou  be,  and  thy  children's  chil 
dren  !  "  exclaimed  Kadra.  "  I  knew,  all  the  time,  that 
thy  heart  was  in  the  right  place."  And  she  kissed 
Hassan's  hand  for  respect  and  gratitude.  "  I  shall  do 
as  thou  sayest,"  she  added.  "And  I  shall  speak  sweet 
words  for  thee,"  bowing  low.  "My  lord's  eyes  have 
looked  graciously  upon  his  handmaid.  It  shall  be 
according  to  thy  word." 

She  had  accomplished  her  purpose,  after  all.  She 
had  obtained  a  good  backsheesh.  The  sheep  was  hers ; 
and  she  had  already  planned  in  her  mind  the  feast  she 
would  have  with  it,  calling  in  all  her  neighbours  and 
friends.  It  should  be  stuffed  with  rice,  butter,  spices, 
and  pine  seeds  in  galore,  and  should  be  baked  entire, 
and  served  in  a  lordly  dish. 

"But  I  must  be  going,"  she  said,  adjusting  the 
water-jar  on  her  shoulder,  in  which  Hassan  this  time 
assisted  her,  and  to  whom  she  was  profuse  in  her 
thanks. 

"Thou  art  as  straight  as  any  young  woman,"  he  said. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  39 

"Good-bye,  and  the  blessing  of  Allah  be  upon  thee," 
was  her  smiling  reply. 

"Peace  be  with  thee,"  said  Hassan.     "  Go  in  peace." 

"Ma'-es-salameh." 

She  trotted  off,  with  a  well-satisfied  air,  chuckling  to 
herself  at  the  success  of  her  stratagem. 

Hassan  stood  motionless  and  silent,  looking  after  her 
with  thoughtful  countenance  till  she  was  out  of  earshot. 

"She  is  a  daughter  of  Eva  and  of  Delilah,"  at  last 
he  broke  out.  "  I  have  no  confidence  in  her.  She  is 
a  dangerous  woman,  such  as  our  Prophet  —  to  whom  be 
praise  —  has  warned  us  of  in  the  Koran.  Verily,  she 
is  even  the  brawling  woman  of  whom  Suleyman  the 
Wise  spake  in  his  Proverbs.  Yet  though  I  trust  her 
not,  nor  value  her  fair  words,  a  bribe  may  bind  her, 
and  the  promised  backsheesh  may  hold  her." 

The  innocent  sheep,  unconscious  of  its  impending 
doom,  had  drawn  nearer  and  nearer,  till,  at  last,  it 
cropped  the  herbage  at  Hassan's  very  feet. 

"Yes,"  he  said,  with  sadness,  addressing  the  dumb 
animal,  "thou  art  hers.  I  have  given  my  word.  A 
promise  is  a  promise;  and  thou  wilt  have  to  go  to 
her. " 

He  turned  aside  to  put  on  his  abai. 

"But,  after  all,  it  is  for  Hilwe,"  he  said,  a  smile 
relaxing  his  lips. 


CHAPTER   IV 

THE  Spoliates  were  an  old  titled  Neapolitan  family, 
now  much  decayed,  and  reduced  from  their 
former  high  estate;  but  still,  with  the  native  pride  of 
position  and  birth,  keeping  up  appearances  to  the  best 
of  their  ability.  Though  so  long  resident  in  Naples, 
they  had  come  originally  from  Venice,  and  the  family 
traditions  had  it  that  they  were  descended  from  one  of 
the  Doges.  In  both  Naples  and  Venice  the  family 
had  been  possessed  of  great  wealth.  They  were  vessel 


40  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

owners  and  merchant  princes  in  the  days  of  Venetian 
splendour  and  glory,  now  long  departed,  apparently 
forever;  and  the  paltry  remnant  of  their  grand  sea- 
ventures  and  reduced  fleet  was  now  managed  with 
declining  fortune  by  Giovanni  Spollato  and  his  nephew 
Leone,  the  last  of  their  race. 

The  old  man,  who,  as  well  as  his  nephew,  bore 
the  title  of  count,  had  fondly  hoped  that  in  Leone 
the  honours  and  dignities  as  well  as  the  wealth  of  the 
Spollatos  would  be  revived.  He  would  not  confess, 
even  to  himself,  that  their  fortunes  were  gradually 
growing  worse,  and  to  the  last  he  kept  a  brave  front 
to  the  world,  so  that  it  was  generally  believed  he  was 
much  better  off  than  in  reality  he  was.  Any  little 
temporary  improvement  in  their  affairs  was  dwelt  on 
by  him,  and  given  undue  prominence,  to  the  exclusion 
of  their  misadventures. 

True,  some  years  ago,  on  the  death  of  his  wife, 
which  had  shortly  succeeded  the  death  of  his  son,  an 
only  child,  in  his  affliction  he  had  put  down  their 
carriage  as  an  unnecessary  piece  of  extravagance,  sell 
ing  the  horses.  The  carriage  itself  he  could  not  quite 
make  up  his  mind  to  part  with;  and  it  still  lay  in  the 
coach-house,  with  all  its  equipments,  the  coat-of-arms 
of  the  Spollatos,  surmounted  with  coronet,  on  its  panels. 
He  argued,  one  could  always  hire  a  pair  of  horses,  and 
the  world  be  none  the  wiser  as  to  their  ownership. 
But  the  carriage  was  very  seldom  used  by  either  him 
self  or  his  nephew;  though  it  seemed  to  give  the  old 
man  peculiar  comfort  to  think  it  was  there,  ready  for 
use. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  whatever  feelings  the  uncle 
might  naturally  have  toward  his  nephew  were  intensified 
by  the  fact  that  in  Leone  was  now  centred  all  the 
future  of  the  family,  even  its  very  perpetuation.  Pride, 
therefore,  was  a  pronounced  factor  in  the  affection  of 
the  old  man  for  the  younger.  And  as  Leone  entered 
the  room,  this  morning,  the  presence  of  the  good-look 
ing  young  fellow  with  his  graceful,  dignified  move 
ments  sent  a  thrill  of  happiness  to  his  uncle's  heart. 

The  greetings    over,    and   breakfast    being   served, 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  41 

Count  Spoliate,  as  they  took  their  seats,  returned  to 
the  examination  of  a  pile  of  letters  which  had  arrived 
by  the  last  mail,  and  had  been  placed  on  the  table. 
The  occupation  enlivened  without  interrupting  his 
breakfast. 

"You  were  out  late  last  night,  Leone,"  he  said,  look 
ing  up  from  his  employment  with  a  pleasant  glance. 

Leone  bowed  his  head,  while  he  simply  assented  to 
the  remark. 

"  I  waited  up  for  you  till  I  became  so  sleepy  I 
had  to  go  to  bed.  You  were  at  the  opera,  I  suppose." 
And,  without  waiting  for  reply,  the  uncle  continued, 
"What  was  the  piece?  Let  me  see.  Ah,  Donizetti's 
'  Lucia  di  Lammermoor  '  !  I  always  liked  it  —  always 
liked  Donizetti's  music  with  its  effective  changes  and 
surprises.  Was  the  performance  good?  " 

Now,  a  few  nights  before,  it  had  happened  that 
Leone  was  present  at  a  rendition  of  this  opera.  He 
therefore  could  speak  with  knowledge  on  the  subject 
—  that  is,  as  to  the  character  of  the  performers. 

"  Signorina  Tantorini  is,  as  you  know,  considered  to 
have  a  very  fine  voice,"  he  said.  "  I  like  her  greatly; 
and  she  is  well  supported.  You  will  see  what  the 
paper  says." 

Leone,  in  the  midst  of  the  questioning,  had  dropped 
his  fork  and  seized  the  morning  paper,  and,  looking  up 
the  theatrical  notices,  he  placed  before  his  uncle  the 
rather  brief  comments  with  which  the  Italian  journals 
usually  satisfy  themselves  and  their  readers  in  this 
department. 

"'Highly  artistic  performance.  Exquisite  render 
ing  of  the  arias,  and  refined  perception  of  the  different 
parts,'"  read  his  uncle.  "I  wish  I  had  gone  with 
you,"  he  added,  with  a  burst  of  enthusiasm. 

A  faint  self-conscious  smile  played  about  Leone's 
mouth  for  an  instant  as  he  considered  where  the  reali 
sation  of  that  wish  would  have  taken  his  uncle,  who 
presently  continued :  "  But  I  am  getting  too  old  for 
this  night-work.  It  does  not  any  longer  agree  with 
me  to  be  out  so  late.  It's  all  well  enough  for  you 
young  people." 


42  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

There  was  no  absolute  desire  on  Leone's  part  to 
deceive  his  uncle;  neither  for  personal  reasons  was 
there  exactly  any  necessity  that  he  should  do  so. 
Only  it  would  certainly  have  been  inconvenient  and 
unusual,  in  short,  "not  the  thing,"  to  have  given  the 
facts  in  the  case.  Had  his  uncle  known  the  truth  in 
the  matter,  he  would  probably  have  felt  little  surprise, 
and  would  have  satisfied  himself  by  administering  to 
Leone  a  mild  rebuke  qualified  by  a  joke  or  a  laugh. 
There  is  nothing  straitlaced  in  the  Italian  character. 

"But  I  am  neglecting  to  hand  you  your  letters, 
Leone,"  said  his  uncle,  passing  to  his  nephew  three  or 
four  notes  which  he  had  selected  from  the  pile  before 
him. 

Leone  seized  them  with  avidity,  glad  to  cover  what 
ever  embarrassment  be  might  have  felt,  by  quickly 
breaking  the  seals  of  the  notes,  and  devouring  the 
contents  with  his  breakfast.  They  seemed  to  be 
mostly  invitations  to  parties;  for  Leone  was  much 
sought  after,  even  among  the  best  families. 

His  uncle,  similarly  occupied  with  his  correspon 
dence,  gave  vent,  from  time  to  time,  after  his  manner, 
to  various  comments  on  the  letters  he  had  received, 
sometimes  reading  aloud  brief  extracts  from  them.  At 
last  he  opened  one,  the  contents  of  which  seemed  to 
agitate  him.  He  glanced  through  it  rapidly;  and 
then,  with  contracted  brows  and  compressed  lips,  sat 
silently  pondering  what  he  had  read,  while  be  kept 
smoothing  out  the  creases  of  the  paper. 

"  Leone,  you  will,  I  am  sure,  do  me  the  credit  of  my 
having  always  spared  your  feelings,  at  least  on  one 
subject,"  at  length  he  said.  "Though  while  sparing 
yours,  I  have  also,  no  doubt,  spared  my  own." 

He  paused  for  a  moment,  as  if  not  knowing  how  to 
continue  the  subject  to  which  this  awkward  brace  of 
sentences  was  seemingly  but  the  introduction;  while 
Leone  bowed  his  head,  and  briefly  acknowledged  in 
advance  the  truth  of  the  statements,  though  wondering 
as  to  what  was  to  come. 

"  You  have  always  been  too  kind  to  me  in  every 
way,"  he  said. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  43 

The  old  man  still  held  the  letter  in  his  hand,  and 
his  eyes  were  bent  on  it  as  he  resumed  in  a  distinct  but 
suppressed  tone  of  voice.  It  seemed  as  if  he  did  not 
care  to  trust  himself  to  speak  loud. 

"This  letter  is  from  Jerusalem,  from  your  mother's 
brother  —  your  uncle  Anselmo, "  he  said,  turning  to 
the  signature  at  the  foot  of  the  letter,  as  though  it  was 
necessary  to  assist  his  memory,  but  in  reality  to  avoid 
looking,  while  he  spoke,  at  Leone.  "  It  seems  he  feels 
the  weight  of  his  accumulating  years;  his  health  is 
poor;  and  before  the  end  of  his  days,  which  he  fancies 
is  not  far  off,  he  longs  to  see  the  only  child  of  his 
deceased  sister.  In  short,  he  has  some  special  com 
munication  to  make  to  you,  and  begs  you  will  visit  him 
in  the  Holy  City." 

"  And  you  —  you  do  not  approve  of  this. " 

"  It  appears  to  me  you  should  have  something  to 
say  in  the  matter,  Leone.  Indeed  I  want  you  to  do 
exactly  as  you  wish." 

"  My  wishes  are  yours,  Uncle  Giovanni.  I  shall  be 
guided  by  you  in  everything.  You  know  very  well  it 
will  be  far  from  pleasant  for  me  to  undertake  such  a 
journey.  How  can  I  care  very  much  to  meet  Uncle 
Anselmo,  whom  I  really  never  knew?  To  say  truth, 
I  shrink  from  the  meeting  —  from  all  association  with 
him  and  his  people.  How  could  it  be  otherwise? " 

The  young  man's  face  was  a  study  as  he  spoke.  It 
glowed  with  a  certain  touch  of  indignation,  and  as  if 
something  rose  up  within  him  in  protest  against  him 
self,  against  his  very  flesh  and  blood.  The  crimson 
flush  burned  through  the  olive  cheek. 

"  It  was  so  unfortunate,  Leone,  so  unfortunate.  Poor 
Francesco,  my  father  never  forgave  him  for  the  mar 
riage;  and,  much  as  I  loved  my  brother,  I  dared  not 
plead  for  him.  Indeed  my  father  would  not  have  his 
name  mentioned  in  his  presence.  I  have  never  talked 
to  you  much  about  the  circumstances;  they  were  too 
painful  to  me;  and  I  felt  it  would  be  happier  for  you 
to  be  ignorant  of  them.  I  would  have  kept  you  igno 
rant.  But  fate  has  ordained  otherwise." 

"  Uncle  Giovanni,    I  think  it  best  that  you  should 


44  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

tell  me  all.  I  know  the  worst,  I  suppose ;  and  I  can 
bear  what  further  you  have  to  say.  We  are  alone 
together;  it  is  only  right  that  I  should  know  all." 

Leone  turned  to  his  uncle  with  a  look  the  latter 
could  hardly  face. 

"  It  seems  only  yesterday  when  it  all  happened,  when 
Francesco  —  when  your  father  left  for  Venice.  He  had 
greatly  displeased  your  grandfather  by  his  dissipations 
and  neglect  of  business.  He  had  the  family  failing, 
too  much  admiration  for  women,  and,  I  suppose,  in 
herited  it.  When  I  think  of  it  now,  it  appears  to  me 
it  is  highly  improbable  that  he  was  a  whit  worse  than 
half  the  young  men  I  see  around  me.  But  there  is  a 
way  of  doing  a  thing.  It  is  that  makes  all  the  differ 
ence.  And  if  one  has  those  failings,  he  should  have 
sufficient  discretion  to  be  governed  in  them  by  common 
prudence,  and  not  to  let  them  interfere  with  his  busi 
ness  or  his  reputation,  you  know." 

"Yes,  yes,"  assented  Leone,  who  had  arisen  and 
begun  to  pace  the  room  in  some  agitation ;  but  pres 
ently  returned  and  resumed  his  seat. 

"The  world  can  forgive  much  folly  in  a  man  if  he 
only  has  sense  enough  to  know  where  to  stop,"  con 
tinued  his  uncle.  "There  must  be  a  certain  limit  to 
it  all.  He  must  not  transgress  against  the  accepted 
principles  or  the  prejudices  of  society. 

"  But  to  resume.  The  agent  for  our  house  in  Venice 
had  become  involved  in  certain  difficulties ;  your 
grandfather,  whose  health  had  then  begun  to  fail, 
could  not  spare  me  to  go  and  attend  to  the  matters 
there,  and  so  sent  Francesco,  with  many  charges  as  to 
what  he  should  do  in  the  case;  giving  him  to  under 
stand  that  in  this  he  had  one  more  and  last  opportunity 
of  redeeming  his  character.  But  if,  in  Naples,  under 
his  father's  eye,  Francesco  failed  to  restrain  himself, 
it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  away,  in  Venice,  he 
would  be  any  better.  Certain  it  is  that  he  totally 
mismanaged  the  business  he  was  sent  on,  neglecting 
it  for  his  pleasures,  to  your  grandfather's  great  indig 
nation.  It  really  seemed  as  if  Francesco  had  gone 
from  bad  to  worse.  His  excesses  ended  in  a  severe 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  45 

illness.  No  doubt,  his  life  was  at  one  time  in  extreme 
danger.  During  this  he  was  paid  every  attention  by  a 
highly  respectable  Hebrew  family,  merchants  who  had 
long  been  resident  in  Venice,  and  with  whom  our 
house  had  for  many  years  had  some  dealings.  Noth 
ing  could  exceed  their  kindness.  They  even  took  your 
father  into  their  home  to  nurse  him.  The  family, 
known  as  the  Jacobini,  which  was  doubtless  a  corrup 
tion  of  the  original  Hebrew  name,  consisted  of  the 
father,  already  advanced  in  years,  and  a  son  and 
daughter.  The  son,  Anselmo,  a  perfect  contrast  to 
poor  Francesco,  was  his  father's  right  hand  in  his 
business.  The  daughter,  remarkable  for  her  beauty, 
and  named  Rachele,  was  —  " 

"My  mother,"  said  Leone,  completing  the  sentence. 

"Yes,  your  mother,"  assented  his  uncle. 

"I  never  knew  her.  She  is  little  more  than  a  name 
to  me,"  said  Leone,  with  a  sigh,  and  eagerly  leaning 
towards  his  uncle. 

"  Yes  ;  she  died  while  you  were  a  mere  infant.  You 
could  not  remember  her.  I  only  saw  her  once.  She 
was  certainly  uncommonly  handsome,  and  had  scarcely 
a  trace  of  her  Jewish  blood  about  her.  Two  such  good- 
looking  young  people  brought  into  such  intimate  rela 
tions,  one  of  them  as  fascinating  as  your  father,  the 
other  his  patient,  lovely  nurse,  it  was  not  difficult  to 
see  the  result.  They  were,  in  short,  madly  in  love 
with  each  other,  after  the  first  week  or  so,  and,  in 
spite  of  the  religious  prejudices  of  the  Jacobini  family, 
the  young  lady,  who  was  the  spoiled  pet  of  her  father 
and  brother,  carried  her  point,  and  as  soon  as  Francesco 
was  convalescent  the  marriage  was  solemnised." 

"And  did  Grandfather  Spollato  have  nothing  to 
say?"  asked  Leone. 

"  He  had  been  kept  quite  ignorant  of  affairs  till 
toward  the  close,  when  a  friendly  warning  reached 
him.  He  stormed,  of  course.  But  his  decided  oppo 
sition  and  veto  were  treated  with  little  regard  or 
respect  by  Francesco,  who  did  not  consider  it  neces 
sary  to  inform  the  Jacobini  family  of  his  father's 
prohibition." 


46  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Oh,  how  could  my  father  do  it  ?  "  exclaimed  Leone, 
moving  his  chair  away,  and  burying  his  face  in  his 
hands.  "  It  almost  makes  me  hate  myself  to  think 
of  it." 

"Do  not  talk  so,  Leone,"  said  his  uncle.  "You  must 
not  take  it  so  to  heart.  It  would  not  be  right.  You 
must  not  imagine  that  these  were  of  the  common  sort 
of  Jew.  The  Jacobinis  had  made  more  than  one  inter 
marriage  with  some  of  our  better  class  of  Italian 
families,  and  in  the  more  remote  past  this  had  occurred 
doubtless  repeatedly.  They  bore  little  or  no  trace  of 
the  ancient  people  in  their  appearance.  At  any  rate, 
in  the  case  of  your  mother,  I  may  say,  you  never  would 
have  imagined  her  being  of  Hebrew  descent.  True, 
taken  together  with  the  loss  of  our  Venetian  business, 
which  our  father  always  had  great  pride  in,  as  being 
the  origin  of  our  house,  and  which  disaster  was  largely 
due  to  Francesco's  mismanagement,  it  preyed  so  on  the 
old  man's  mind,  it  affected  his  health  and  shortened 
his  days.  He,  too,  had  planned  a  distinguished  matri 
monial  alliance  for  Francesco.  I  have  often  heard 
your  grandfather  say  it  broke  his  heart." 

"No  wonder,"  said  Leone,  who  had  been  moving 
his  chair  farther  and  farther  from  his  uncle,  and  now, 
with  an  indescribable  look  of  chagrin  on  his  handsome 
face,  sprang  up,  and  walked  rapidly  to  the  other  end  of 
the  room. 

"  Calm  yourself,  I  beseech  of  you,  Leone.  I  surely 
did  not  tell  you  this  to  pain  you,  but  because  you 
requested  it,  and  we  both  considered  it  necessary," 
said  his  uncle,  as  he  arose  and  followed  him. 

Leone  hung  his  head  with  an  expression  of  shame 
and  grief. 

"Some  of  the  best  families  of  Castile  have  an  infu 
sion  of  Moorish  or  Jewish  blood,"  resumed  his  uncle. 
"You  have  heard  of  the  King  of  Spain  who  decreed 
that  every  man  in  Spain  who  had  any  Hebrew  blood  in 
his  veins  should  wear  a  yellow  hat.  The  decree  was 
absolute,  including  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest  in 
the  land.  The  next  day  the  court  chamberlain  entered 
the  king's  presence  bearing  three  yellow  hats.  The 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  47 

king,  annoyed,  asked  him  why  he  brought  them  there, 
and  who  they  were  meant  for.  '  One  is  for  your  Maj 
esty,'  was  the  reply,  '  another  for  the  Prime  Minister, 
and  the  third  is  for  myself. '  You  see,  Leone,  what  a 
foolish  thing  such  prejudice  is." 

"Ah!"  exclaimed  Leone,  sorrowfully,  "I  have  read 
Spanish  history,  where  it  states  that  the  wealth  of  the 
Jews  furnished  an  obvious  resource  for  repairing,  by 
marriage,  the  decayed  fortunes  of  the  nobility,  and  that 
there  was  scarcely  a  family  of  rank  in  the  land  whose 
blood  had  not  been  contaminated,  at  some  period  or 
other,  by  mixture  with  the  ma/a  sangre  —  bad  blood,  as 
it  came  afterwards  to  be  termed  —  of  the  house  of 
Judah ;  an  ignominious  stain,  which  no  time  has  been 
deemed  sufficient  wholly  to  purge  away." 

Leone's  face  grew  dark  as  he  proceeded. 

"These  are  the  words  of  an  American  historian," 
he  resumed,  "the  citizen  of  a  republic,  remember;  and 
he  further  speaks  of  the  anxiety  shown  by  the  modern 
Spaniard  to  prove  that  the  sangre  azul,  blue  blood, 
flows  through  his  veins,  uncontaminated  by  any  Moorish 
or  Jewish  taint." 

"  He  simply  describes  the  Spanish  prejudice  on  the 
subject,  Leone." 

"Yes,  and  manifests  his  own  prejudice." 

"  I  can  hardly  think  that,"  said  the  old  count. 

Then,  as  he  saw  the  grieved  look  in  his  nephew's 
dark  eyes,  he  threw  his  arms  around  him  and  embraced 
him,  again  and  again,  exclaiming,  "  Oh,  Leone,  do  not 
feel  so!  Have  I  ever  treated  you  unkindly?  Have  I 
not  always  loved  you  as  my  son  ?  " 

"  You  have  been  far  too  good  to  me  always,  as  I  have 
told  you,"  replied  the  young  man.  "  I  have  not  deserved 
half  your  kindness.  I  am  unworthy  of  it.  And  now  I 
feel  I  am  like  a  debased  coin  —  a  degraded  Spoliate, 
that  ought  not  to  pass  current." 

"Don't,  don't!"  cried  his  uncle.  "You  are  every 
inch  of  you  a  Spollato  —  every  inch  of  you,  I  say !  "  and 
he  warmly  pressed  Leone  to  him  repeatedly.  He  had 
never  since  his  nephew  was  a  little  boy  shown  so  much 
love  and  passionate  fondness  for  him. 


48  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

It  was  impossible  for  a  man  of  Leone  Spollato's 
impulses  not  to  respond  to  such  feeling  demonstra 
tions.  He  was  deeply  moved  at  the  kind  entreaties 
and  assurances  of  one  whom  he  had  learned  to  respect 
and  love  from  his  youngest  years  — who  was  to  him  a 
father  in  every  sense  but  the  one  —  he  was  not  the 
author  of  his  being.  The  two  men  stood  locked  in 
each  other's  arms  for  several  minutes  without  speaking, 
the  noble  face  of  the  elder  looking  like  the  grand  coun 
tenance  of  some  great  doge  or  emperor,  all  its  best 
points  brought  out  and  accentuated  by  his  affection  for 
his  nephew,  and  the  fear  lest  that  nephew  should  be 
unduly  wounded  by  what  had  been  said. 

As  they  stood  so  close  together,  the  likeness  between 
them  seemed  stronger  than  ever.  It  was  also  common 
to  more  than  one  of  the  family  portraits  that  hung 
round  the  room.  There  was  one,  especially,  a  remark 
able  portrait  of  a  Venetian  ancestor,  which  had  been 
ascribed  to  Titian,  in  which  the  likeness  was  almost 
startling. 

"  When  your  father  came  here,  a  widower,  with  you, 
on  the  death  of  our  father,"  continued  the  uncle, 
"every  one  noticed  how  like  me  you  were,  though  you 
were  such  a  little  fellow.  No  one  outside  of  the 
family  knew  anything  of  the  peculiar  circumstances  of 
the  marriage,  and  so  it  has  remained  to  this  day. 
Who  would  dream  you  had  a  drop  of  Jewish  blood  in 
your  veins?  Not  one.  Ever  since  your  father's  early 
death,  you  have  been  as  my  own  son ;  and  after  the 
loss  of  my  Giovanini,  you  have  been  doubly  my  son." 

The  old  count's  voice  trembled,  and  tears  gathered 
in  his  eyes  as  he  spoke.  He  pressed  Leone  closer  to 
him,  as  if  he  feared  some  cruel  fate  were  about  to 
deprive  him  of  him. 

"Promise  me,"  he  added,  "that  you  will  not  let  this 
dwell  on  your  mind  to  trouble  you." 

"  I  do  promise,  dear  uncle ;  I  shall  not  let  it  trouble 
me,  so  far  as  I  can  help  it,"  answered  Leone.  "I  will 
do  anything  you  require  of  me." 

"And  now,  Leone,"  said  his  uncle,  reverting  to 
the  original  subject,  "as  to  this  visit  to  Jerusalem,  I 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  49 

really  do  not  see  how  you  can  avoid  it.  Your  uncle 
Anselmo  is  peculiarly  urgent,  and,  apart  from  the 
claims  of  common  humanity,  his  communication  may 
be  of  great  importance  to  you.  From  what  he  says,  he 
seems  so  to  consider  it." 

Though  Leone  said  little  or  nothing,  his  attitude 
was  far  from  encouraging.  It  evidently  was  politic 
not  to  press  the  subject  any  further  at  present;  at 
least  so  his  uncle  thought. 

"Well,  well,  let  us  say  no  more  about  it,"  he  said. 
"You  will,  meanwhile,  think  over  it.  There  can  be 
no  immediate  haste  required,  I  suppose.  The  old  man, 
in  spite  of  all  his  forebodings,  is,  no  doubt,  far  enough 
off  yet  from  being  in  articulo  mortis.  And  now,  Leone, 
remember  your  promise.  You  must  not  worry  over 
anything  I  have  told  you.  It  would,  indeed,  be  ridicu 
lous  to  do  so.  And,  for  the  matter  of  that,  what  family, 
including  even  royalty  itself,  is  without  blot  or  stain 
of  some  sort?  Why,  I  remember  hearing  my  father 
say  that,  in  the  olden  time,  they  had  a  joke  about  our 
name,  and  used  to  declare  it  was  originally  Spogliato 
from  spoglia,  spoil,  booty,  having  reference  to  the 
origin  of  our  wealth  and  rise,  through  our  sea-ventures, 
in  the  early  Venetian  days,  when,  no  doubt,  as  in  the 
case  of  many  another  noble  family,  the  doings  too  often 
partook  of  a  plundering  and  almost  piratical  character. 
The  world  has  improved  since  that  time." 

And  so  his  uncle  ran  on,  trying  to  make  light  of 
what  had  been  a  sore  matter  to  himself,  and  which  he 
saw  Leone  took  so  bitterly  to  heart. 

The  truth  was,  as  has  been  shown,  that  the  affairs 
of  the  family  were  daily  growing  worse,  and,  more 
urgently  than  ever,  forcing  themselves  upon  the  atten 
tion  of  the  elder  Spoliate,  who  kept  hoping  they  would 
mend  presently,  and  who  willingly  would  have  con 
cealed  the  exact  state  of  the  case  even  from  himself. 

As  he  sat  that  day  in  his  ancient  dusky  office,  over 
hauling  his  papers,  his  courageous  old  heart  gave  way 
sufficiently  to  confess  the  fear  that  he  should  not  leave 
Leone  as  well  off  as  he  had  expected.  It  meant  much 
coming  from  such  a  man. 


50  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"I  wish  he  would  visit  his  uncle  in  Jerusalem,"  he 
added.  "Those  old  Jews  have  a  pile  of  gold  laid  by. 
Poor-looking  and  shabby  as  they  keep  themselves,  I 
never  knew  it  to  fail.  Whatever  he  has,  much  or 
little,  he  will  probably  give  or  leave  to  Leone,  espe 
cially  should  Leone  visit  him.  It  may,  perhaps,  make 
up  for  my  losses.  Their  money  is  just  as  clean  as  any 
one's,  even  if  they  are  Jews.  And  Anselmo  must 
have  a  good  share  of  the  Jacobini  hoardings,  which 
ought  to  belong  to  Leone  —  if  he  only  managed  right. 
But  there  is  no  use  telling  my  high-strung  nephew 
this;  it  might  spoil  everything.  I  don't  blame  him, 
though,  for  despising  the  marame — the  rubbish. 
People  of  God,  indeed!  Children  of  the  devil!" 

Thus  ended  the  old  man,  his  innate  prejudice  getting 
the  better  of  him. 


CHAPTER   V 

MONTHS  passed  by,  and  Leone  still  postponed 
leaving  Naples  for  Jerusalem. 

Had  one  been  able  to  look  in  on  Count  Spollato  in 
those  days,  as  he  lingered  alone  in  his  office,  poring 
over  his  papers  and  account -books,  he  would  have  been 
found,  oftener  than  ever,  shaking  his  head  and  saying, 
"  I  fear  I  shall  not  be  able  to  leave  Leone  as  well  off 
as  I  expected,  when  I  die."  It  was  always  Leone  and 
not  himself  he  thought  of,  the  handsome  brave  old  man. 

Long  had  he  fought,  almost  single-handed,  and  with 
out  a  murmur,  against  adverse  circumstances.  Too 
unselfish  and  courageous  to  recognise  there  was  any 
thing  of  peculiar  merit  in  his  devotion  to  others,  or 
in  the  fortitude  that  carried  a  sublime  head  high  above 
all  trouble,  he  moved  among  his  fellows  only  as  an 
ordinary  man. 

He  even  did  not  perceive  he  was  advancing  in  life 
—  growing  old,  and  less  able  to  contend  with  the 
troubles  which,  each  year,  were  becoming  more  com 
plicated  and  more  difficult  to  deal  with.  It  was, 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  51 

indeed,  not  easy  for  him  to  acknowledge  age  or  its 
inroads;  for  there  was  little  appearance  of  physical  or 
mental  decay  about  him.  Of  him  it  could  truly  be 
said:  "His  eye  was  not  dim  nor  his  natural  force 
abated."  He  would  strike'  his  chest  and  say,  "I  am  a 
young  man  yet,  in  every  respect  — potcnte,  vigoroso. " 

But  new  methods  and  new  devices  that  he  was  little 
familiar  with,  or  comparatively  ignorant  of,  had  been 
introduced  in  business.  The  power  and  tyranny  of 
capital,  too,  were  making  themselves  felt  in  large 
combinations  and  far-reaching  schemes,  unknown  in 
former  times. 

Nor  was  Leone,  however  well-disposed  he  might  be, 
quite  capable  of  affording  deliverance  from  this  state 
of  things,  for  his  uncle  had  always  brought  him  up 
more  as  the  gentleman  than  as  the  man  of  business. 

It  was  when  the  elder  Spollato  found  himself  alone 
with  his  accounts  that  the  truth  was  forced  upon  him, 
and  he  was  obliged  to  admit  a  constantly  diminishing 
income. 

For  these  and  other  similar  reasons,  though  he  did 
not  advance  them  to  Leone,  he  had  urged  his  nephew's 
visit  to  Jerusalem.  There  was  abundant  occasion  for 
this,  for  Anselmo  Jacobini,  weary  under  the  delay, 
heart-sick  from  hope  deferred,  had  written  repeatedly 
since  the  first  memorable  letter,  beseeching  his  nephew 
no  longer  to  postpone  coming  to  him.  In  this  connec 
tion  he  again  alluded  to  his  advanced  age  and  declining 
strength  as  motives  for  the  visit. 

"For  the  sake  of  common  humanity,  Leone,"  his 
uncle  Giovanni  would  say  to  him,  "you  cannot  neglect 
this  duty.  You  have  promised.  You  ought  not  to 
postpone  it.  Suppose  your  uncle  Anselmo  should  die 
without  your  seeing  him,  you  would  never  forgive  your 
self.  It  would  always  be  a  subject  of  remorseful  regret 
to  you." 

"I  will  do  as  you  wish,  uncle,"  Leone  would  reply; 
and  still  he  let  the  time  pass. 

It  had  now  been  several  years  since  Anselmo  Jacobini 
had  left  Venice  and  gone  to  reside  in  the  Holy  City. 

Pious  Jews,  all  over  the  world,  have  an  intense  long- 


5 2  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

ing  not  only  to  visit  the  ancient  capital  of  their  fore 
fathers,  but  also  to  reside  there.  Apart  from  the 
general  religious  feeling,  or  the  mere  matter  of  senti 
ment  which  underlies  this  desire,  there  is  the  wish  to 
be  buried  on  the  Mount  of  Olives.  And  this  arises 
from  the  curious  superstition  of  the  Jews  that  all 
Hebrews  who  are  not  buried  on  that  mountain  are 
dragged  from  wherever  they  may  be  interred,  under 
neath  the  earth,  to  Olivet,  to  be  judged  there  on  the 
great  day  of  final  judgment.  With  the  object  of  avert 
ing  or,  in  some  degree,  mitigating  the  hideous  doom, 
it  is  that  the  custom  has  arisen  of  placing  a  little  bag 
of  earth  from  Jerusalem  in  the  coffin,  beneath  the  head 
of  the  Jew  who  dies  in  other  lands. 

Thousands  of  aged  Jews  find  their  way  to  Jerusalem 
that  they  may  die  there,  and  be  buried  on  the  Mount. 
Scores  of  these  ludicrously  antiquated-looking  beings 
may  be  seen  on  any  day  upon  the  streets  of  the  city,  in 
their  odd  dress,  of  which  the  peculiarity  of  the  head 
gear  is  generally  the  most  noticeable  feature,  covering 
as  it  does  the  widest  of  ranges,  from  the  turban  and 
tarboosh  of  the  Oriental,  to  the  low  black  plush  hat  of 
the  Hebrew  of  Jerusalem,  and  the  uncouth  cap  trimmed 
with  bristling  fur  of  the  Polish  Jew. 

Those  blear-eyed  old  fellows,  tottering  with  age, 
with  tangled  gray  or  snow-white  beards,  and  corkscrew 
ringlets  on  each  side  of  the  face,  are  a  wonder  among 
humanity.  No  other  people  are  like  them.  They  have 
an  individuality  of  the  most  pronounced  order,  separat 
ing  them  from  all  other  members  of  the  human 
family. 

The  Children  of  Israel,  Sons  of  Abraham,  the  People 
of  God  —  their  history  is  as  peculiar  as  their  counte 
nance.  And,  knowing  their  history,  you  would  say  that 
the  Jew  is  just  what  you  might  expect  him  to  be.  Never 
had  any  people  of  their  time  greater  light.  Never  have 
any  people  so  sinned  against  the  light  as  they  have 
sinned.  Never  have  any  people  been  so  disgraced  and 
degraded. 

These  are  they  who  were  delivered  with  a  mighty 
hand,  and  with  a  stretched-out  arm,  and  with  great 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah.  53 

judgments  from  the  bondage  in  Egypt.  These  are  they 
who  were  led  by  pillar  of  cloud  and  of  fire  through  the 
Red  Sea  and  the  wilderness  up  into  this,  the  land  of 
promise  and  of  blessing,  flowing  with  milk  and  honey. 
These  are  of  the  nation  to  whom  the  Almighty  revealed 
himself  as  he  had  done  to  no  other  people,  making  a 
covenant  with  them,  and  showing  himself  in  their  holy 
place,  between  the  cherubim,  in  the  mystical  Shekinah 
—  the  visible  glory  of  the  Lord  ! 

These  are  the  stiff-necked,  rebellious,  and  adulterous 
people,  according  to  the  description  of  their  own 
prophets.  These  are  they  who  murmured  against 
Jehovah  in  the  midst  of  his  lovingkindness  and  deliv 
erance,  longing  for  the  flesh-pots  of  Egypt,  and  setting 
up  the  golden  calf  and  worshipping  it  as  the  God  who 
had  delivered  them.  These  are  of  the  race  who  slew 
the  Zidonians,  that  serene  people,  yet  preserved  their 
priest  alive  and  kept  their  idol  unbroken,  that  they, 
the  people  of  God,  forsooth,  might  continue  the  idola 
trous  worship  they  were  sent  to  destroy !  These  are 
of  the  iniquitous  and  abominable  kindred,  full  of 
uncleannesses,  who  defiled  even  the  holy  place,  and 
set  up  an  image  of  jealousy  therein,  turning  their 
backs  upon  the  Shekinah,  that  they  might  worship  the 
idol !  These  are  they  who  slew  the  prophets,  and 
stoned  the  messengers  of  peace  as  malefactors  !  These 
are  the  people  of  whom  the  Lord  has  made  a  hissing 
and  a  byword  and  a  proverb,  as  he  said  he  would, 
scattering  them  among  all  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

Look  at  them  well ;  for  the  marks  of  all  this  are 
upon  them !  The  marks  of  all  this  and  much  more 
brand  their  every  feature.  Great  has  been  the  sin  — 
great  the  expiation. 

This  is  the  place  —  Jerusalem.  And  these  are  the 
people. 

What  agony  and  tears  and  bloody  sweat  have  been 
poured  out  here ! 

What  mighty  works  have  been  done  under  this  sky  — • 
within  the  circle  of  these  inclosing  hills !  Here,  fear 
less  of  mighty  men  and  kings,  the  great  prophets 
delivered  the  messages  of  God;  here  the  Divine  Man 


54  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

walked   and   taught;    here   was   revealed    Redemptive 
love,   and  the  great  sacrifice  was  consummated. 

The  voice  of  the  All-Merciful  rings  out  now,  over  it 
all,  down  the  centuries,  with  the  piteous  grief  of 
unfathomable  love :  — 

"  O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  thou  that  killest  the 
prophets,  and  stonest  them  which  are  sent  unto  thee, 
how  often  would  I  have  gathered  thy  children  together, 
even  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings, 
and  ye  would  not.  Behold  your  house  is  left  unto  you 
desolate.  For  I  say  unto  you,  Ye  shall  not  see  me 
henceforth,  till  ye  shall  say,  Blessed  is  he  that  cometh 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

Desolate  enough,  forsooth,  and  worse  than  desolate 
is  the  house.  The  dark,  narrow  streets  reek  with 
unsavory  odours.  Ordure  and  filth  of  every  kind  rankle 
in  the  detestably  offensive  alleys  and  corners.  Mos 
lems,  Jews,  multiform  Christians,  semi-wild  men,  and 
strangers  from  many  lands  crowd  the  city.  The  care 
lessness,  looseness  and  want  of  modesty  of  the  Oriental 
are  seen  on  every  side.  It  is  an  old  story  here.  The 
valley  of  the  Dead  Sea  is  in  sight,  with  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah  in  the  depths  of  the  bitter  lake. 

In  the  Jewish  quarter  of  the  ancient  city,  so  far  as 
filth,  stench  and  degradation  are  concerned,  the  acme 
seems  to  be  reached.  With  few  exceptions,  even  the 
better  class  of  houses  have  little  to  recommend  them. 
The  worst  abodes  are  mere  dens  of  darkness  and  misery, 
no  better  than,  indeed  scarcely  as  good  as,  the  haunt  of 
the  wild  beast. 

The  contracted,  ill-paved  streets,  in  which  the  bal 
conies  on  each  side  almost  meet,  may  be  picturesque, 
but  are  unwholesome.  The  odd  projecting  lattices, 
like  bird-cages,  are  a  peculiar  feature.  These  are  all 
well  provided  with  iron  gratings  or  grillings,  necessary 
for  protection  from  robbery;  and  often  have  within  a 
finer  grating  of  wire,  or  of  curiously  carved  wood.  Occa 
sionally  a  few  flower-pots  may  be  found  adorning  them, 
with  trailing  vines  depending.  But  this  is  a  feature 
less  common  in  the  Jewish  than  in  the  Mohammedan 
quarter.  Indeed,  the  Moslem  openly  shows  his  love 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  55 

for  flowers,  while,  apparently,  the  Jew  has  compara 
tively  but  little  feeling  in  this  direction. 

But  it  is  those  parts  of  the  streets  which  are  arched 
over,  houses  connecting  with  each  side  being  built 
upon  the  archways,  that  present  the  most  characteristic 
traits  —  dark,  tunnel-like  vistas,  often  clammy  with 
foetid  nastiness,  and  even  in  the  daytime  pervaded 
with  semi-darkness.  Out  of  these  again,  on  either 
side,  stretch  similar  overarched  passages  full  of  dra 
matic  possibilities  and  nocturnal  dreaminess.  Even  a 
tragic  and  sepulchral  atmosphere  is  not  wanting. 

Here  crouch  in  groups  or  move  with  restless  steps 
the  teeming  humanity  of  the  place;  the  men  in  long, 
gown-like  garments  that  reach  to  the  ground,  the  last 
form  of  dress,  one  would  say,  adapted  to  the  conditions 
of  such  a  locality;  the  women  generally  muffled  in 
shawls  worn  over  the  head. 

They  go  and  come  upon  their  petty  business,  by 
them  magnified  out  of  all  due  proportion,  with  the 
hovering  keenness  of  vultures.  Sickening  odours  float 
out  with  an  acrid  penetrating  quality  from  those 
ancient-looking  gabardines,  which  are  so  stiff  with 
greasy  filth,  it  is  impossible  to  imagine  they  could  ever 
have  been  new  and  clean. 

"  God  preserve  us  from  uncleanness,  and  from  coming 
in  contact  with  them ! "  exclaims  the  devout  Moslem, 
as  he  passes  by,  having  washed  before  prayer. 

Were  it  not  for  the  distinct  realism  of  certain  fea 
tures,  these  unmanlike  men  would  seem  to  be  phantoms 
of  unwholesome  creation,  dark  and  vague  apparitions 
from  Gehenna. 

The  sharp,  piercing  eyes,  with  acquisitive  gleam, 
and  the  beak-like  noses,  curving  over  the  flabby,  pro 
truded  lips,  give  an  aspect  of  cruelty  to  many  of  the 
faces.  The  shrillness  of  their  voices  is  half-choked  in 
a  rumbling  gutturalness  of  discordant  tone;  and  their 
conversation  is  invariably  accompanied  with  uncouth 
gesticulations,  in  which  their  fingers,  hands  and  arms, 
heads,  and  even  entire  bodies  participate. 

In  one  of  the  better  parts  of  the  quarter,  frequented 
chiefly  by  the  Spanish,  Portuguese,  and  Italian  Jews, 


56  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

was  the  abode  of  Anselmo  Jacobini.  The  house  was 
old  and  quaint,  and  had  a  superiority  and  something  of 
a  picturesqueness  possessed  by  few  of  its  neighbours. 
It  was  built  of  the  yellowish  cut  stone  supplied  by  the 
quarries  of  the  surrounding  hills ;  and  curiously  carved 
bosses  and  architraves,  still  in  good  preservation,  orna 
mented  the  weather-chastened  facade.  It  was  further 
enriched  by  stones  of  a  fine  black,  and  of  a  deep  red 
hue,  which,  being  sparingly  used,  enhanced  their 
preciousness.  These  were  placed,  with  a  simple,  judi 
cious  arrangement,  over  the  windows,  adding  a  charm 
ing  note  of  colour.  The  irregularity  of  the  size,  form, 
and  disposition  of  the  windows,  with  their  Moresque 
lattices,  greatly  contributed  to  the  effect. 

Here,  in  the  principal,  hall-like  room  of  the  house, 
might  be  found,  as  was  usual,  during  the  greater  part 
of  the  day,  the  old  man,  Anselmo  Jacobini  (for  he  now 
seldom  went  abroad,  except  to  the  synagogue),  seated  at 
a  plain  desk,  on  which  lay  a  large  open  book  —  a  fine 
copy  of  the  law  or  Pentateuch.  A  mellow,  subdued 
light  sifted  into  the  room  through  the  curtained  lattice 
of  the  wide,  projecting  window,  and  illumined  the  bent 
head,  now  silvery  with  age.  The  face  was  mostly  in 
shadow,  the  back  of  the  high  chair  in  which  he  sat  being 
turned  to  the  window. 

It  was  a  subject  which  Rembrandt  would  have  loved 
to  paint,  and,  to  which,  perhaps,  he  alone  could  have 
done  justice.  Though  the  features  were  decidedly 
Jewish,  they  were  of  the  best  Hebrew  type,  and  a 
certain  refinement,  perhaps  of  Italian  origin,  subdued 
and  qualified  traits  which  might  otherwise  have  been 
of  severe  or  unpleasing  character.  A  lengthy  beard, 
nearly  as  white  as  his  head,  swept  full  in  front,  over 
the  black  satin  robe,  which  almost  completely  enveloped 
him,  reaching  to  his  feet.  These  showed  from  beneath 
it,  and  were  encased  in  a  pair  of  Turkish  slippers,  of 
soft,  yellow  leather,  and  with  pointed,  up-curved  toes. 

The  richness  of  the  entire  effect  was  enhanced  by  its 
simplicity,  and  was  heightened  by  the  ancient  aspect 
of  the  room,  with  its  arched  and  groined  roof,  thick 
fortress-like  walls,  and  Oriental  furnishing.  The 


Hassan :  a  Fellah 


57 


silvery  white  of  the  prophet-like  hair  and  beard,  the 
intense  glossy  black  of  the  satin  robe,  and  the  yellow 
of  the  slippers  made  fine  broad  contrasts,  which  even 
the  most  unimpressive  could  scarcely  have  failed  to 
appreciate. 

The  day  was  bright  and  pleasant,  and  a  fresh  breeze, 
yet  of  treacherous,  sirocco-like  warmth,  from  the  direc 
tion  of  the  Moabite  hills,  entered  softly  through  the 
partially  opened  lattice.  To  the  southeast  those  dis 
tant  hills  stood  up  like  a  rosy-purple  and  amethystine 
wall,  as  if  barring  the  entrance  to  the  Cedron  Valley, 
though  far,  far  beyond  it,  and  even  beyond  the  Dead 
Sea ;  while  to  the  right,  near  by,  was  visible  a  great 
part  of  the  castellated  wall  of  the  city,  always  a  pictur 
esque  object. 

The  old  walls  of  Jerusalem  are  an  interesting  study. 
The  very  stones  have  each  an  individual  beauty. 
Carved  and  painted  by  the  hand  of  Time,  long  since 
they  left  the  hand  of  man,  they  put  on  a  glory  and  a 
grace  hallowed  by  the  admiring  gaze  of  countless  gen 
erations  who  have  dwelt  beneath  their  protecting 
environment.  How  many  times  have  those  ancient 
Phoenician-cut  stones  been  cast  down  and  built  up 
again  !  How  distinctive  and  eloquent  they  are  with 
their  wide  margins  and  sumptuous  colour!  Rich,  warm 
ochre  tints  deepen  into  orange  glows  and  pink  veining, 
relieved  by  cool  grays  and  neutral  shades.  Wherever 
it  can  find  a  foothold,  the  blossoming  weed  adds  a 
brilliant  key-note  of  scarlet,  or  a  grateful  accent  of 
soft  harmonious  green.  And  behind  all  spreads  that 
miraculous  background  of  blue,  the  clear,  cloudless 
sky  of  Palestine. 

As  the  old  man  arose  and  stood  in  the  window  recess, 
something  of  all  this  must  have  entered  his  mind  as  he 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  great  walls,  for  he  murmured, 
"  I  will  lay  thy  stones  with  fair  colours."  And  again, 
"Thy  servants  love  thy  very  stones." 

He  was  evidently  in  a  restless  mood  to-day,  for,  hav 
ing  more  than  once  returned  to  his  reading,  he,  from 
time  to  time,  would  arise  and  pace  the  stone-paved 
floor,  to  and  fro,  over  the  rare,  antique  Persian  rugs 


58  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

which  strewed  it  with  their  luxurious  thickness  and 
concordant  arabesqueries.  Many  of  these  wonderful 
specimens  of  Oriental  art  had  been  used  by  Moham 
medans  in  public  and  private  worship.  Some  of  them 
had  been  taken  out  of  the  mosques. 

The  touch  of  the  rugs  had  to  some  extent  a  soothing 
effect  upon  him.  He  enjoyed  feeling  his  foot  sink  in 
their  velvety  depths;  while  he  found  the  fantastic 
patterns,  wrought  in  subdued  harmonies  and  rare  con 
trasts  of  colour,  a  solace  and  a  pleasure  to  the  eye. 

But  was  there  not  more  than  this?  Was  it  not  pos 
sible  he  felt  a  virtue,  —  an  effluence  of  sanctity,  —  a 
mysterious  psychic  aura  or  influence  proceed  from 
those  ancient  seggadehs,  —  prayer-mats  from  which 
had  ascended  to  the  one  true  God  thousands  of  adoring 
invocations  and  praises? 

After  taking  a  further  turn  or  two  of  the  room,  he 
would  come  back  to  his  desk  with  a  certain  relief,  and 
resume  his  reading;  but  only  again  presently  to  push 
the  book  from  him  with  an  unsatisfied  expression. 

Could  it  be  that  those  Moslem  prayer  carpets  gave 
him  more  comfort  than  the  fivefold  book  of  Moses, 
with  its  anathemas  and  exacting  legalities? 

"I  ought  to  have  had  a  letter  to-day,"  he  said, 
thinking  aloud  to  himself,  after  the  manner  of  persons 
who  have  lived  much  alone.  "  I  wonder  if  that  lazy 
Oriental  hasn't  forgotten  to  call  for  the  mail.  It 
would  be  just  like  him ;  though  he  knows  how  anxious 
I  am." 

He  crossed  the  room,  and  threw  open  the  door. 

"  Selim !  Selim  !  "  he  called  in  an  irritated  voice. 

There  was  no  reply. 

He  then  clapped  his  hands  repeatedly,  after  the 
Eastern  manner  of  summoning  servants,  but  only  with 
a  like  result. 

"I  really  believe  the  fellow  has  fallen  asleep,"  he 
said.  "Just  like  him.  And  I  cannot  find  my  bell. 
No  doubt  he  has  hidden  it  away,  so  that  I  cannot  call 
him.  There  is  no  knowing  these  Moslems.  They  are 
equal  to  anything.  Sons  of  Belial,  even  though  they 
are  circumcised." 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  59 

His  search  for  the  bell,  however,  at  length  resulted 
in  his  finding  it  on  one  of  the  koursis  —  the  inlaid 
octagonal  stands  of  Damascus  adorning  the  room. 
Seizing  the  bell,  he  rang  it  violently  and  repeatedly. 

"After  all,  the  bell  was. in  the  right  place.  I  have 
wronged  him,"  he  said  contritely. 

From  a  remote  quarter  of  the  house  came  Selim's 
answering  cry.  And  soon  appeared  in  the  doorway  a 
young  man  of  attractive  appearance,  clad  in  the  loose- 
flowing  trousers  of  the  East,  and  wearing  a  citron- 
coloured  embroidered  vest  beneath  a  jacket  similarly 
ornamented,  and  of  a  subdued  blue  shade.  On  his 
finely-poised  head  he  wore  a  crimson  tarboosh,  rakishly 
set  at  the  back,  and  permitting  a  goodly  proportion  of 
his  glossy,  blue-black  hair  to  appear  in  front.  A  sash 
of  crimson  silk  striped  with  gold  encircled  his  waist, 
while  his  feet  were  enclosed  in  high-laced  canvas  shoes, 
a  European  innovation.  He  had  altogether  an  insin 
uating  air  about  him ;  and  though,  no  doubt,  quite 
youthful,  was  as  fully  developed  as  are  most  young  men 
of  twenty-five  in  the  West.  His  eyes  were  uncom 
monly  large  and  lustrous ;  and  he  used  them  most  effec 
tively.  They  were  true  indicators  of  his  lingual 
powers ;  for  he  could  command  the  use  of  several 
foreign  languages,  at  least  in  a  smattering  way. 

Standing  in  the  doorway,  he  pushed  aside  the  portiere 
and  made  salaam,  raising,  as  usual,  his  hand  succes 
sively  to  his  breast,  mouth  and  forehead,  with  such  a 
grace  as  is  unknown  to  the  Occidental,  and  which  one 
never  wearies  of  witnessing,  especially  in  the  courteous 
little  children  of  the  land. 

It  was  evidently  difficult  for  his  master  to  be  angry 
with  him.  After  an  attempt  or  two  at  it,  the  frown 
disappeared  from  his  brow. 

"  I  have  been  calling  for  you  till  I  am  hoarse,  Selim. 
Where  have  you  been?  I  really  believe  you  have  been 
asleep." 

"No,  no,  Signer!     I  was  only  in  the  courtyard." 

"And  what  were  you  doing  there?     But  no  matter." 

The  old  man  broke  off  abruptly,  while  the  slim 
young  servant,  almost  as  full  of  sinuosities  as  a  serpent 


60  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

or  a  lizard,  remained  standing,  with  folded  arms,  in 
the  most  gracefully  patient  attitude  imaginable,  await 
ing  further  questioning,  without  the  least  appearance 
of  anxiety. 

"  What  is  the  use  of  tempting  him  to  speak  falsely?  " 
said  Jacobini,  aside. 

The  astute  servant  watched  his  eyes,  as  though  he 
read  his  very  thoughts. 

"Did  you  call  at  the  post-office  this  morning? " 

This  time  the  old  man  spoke  aloud  and  rather  sternly. 

"  Yes,  yes,  Signer !  I  was  there  the  first  thing 
after  the  Turkish  post  came  in,  and  I  waited  till  it  was 
given  out.  They  take  a  long  time  to  sort  it,  you  know. 
I  had  already  called  and  inquired  at  the  Austrian 
post." 

"And  was  there  nothing  for  me?  " 

"Nothing,  Signor. " 

"  It  is  very  strange.      I  ought  to  have  had  a  letter." 

"Yes,  yes,  Signor;  I  told  them  so,  and  made  them 
look  a  second  time;  but  there  was  naught." 

The  old  man  sighed,  resuming  his  seat,  and  leaning 
his  head  on  his  hand  with  a  dejected  air. 

"Perhaps  the  next  mail  will  bring  it,"  said  Selim, 
sympathetically,  seeing  his  master's  disappointment. 

The  old  man  did  not  seem  to  hear  him. 

"That  is  all,"  he  said.  "In  future  come  and  tell 
me  at  once  whether  there  are  or  are  not  letters  for  me. 
Shut  the  door." 

"  I  cannot  expect  much  attention  from  the  Spoliates," 
he  presently  said  to  himself,  after  Selim  had  departed. 
"  It  would  be  too  much  to  look  for,  under  the  circum 
stances,  I  suppose.  And  yet  I  think  Leone  might 
have  —  " 

He  suddenly  ceased,  his  voice  trembling  and  failing. 

"My  nephew  —  my  own  sister's  son,"  he  continued, 
"he  ought  to  have  some  feeling  for  me.  But  prejudice 
is  hard  to  overcome.  It  is  especially  strong  where 
pertaining  to  race  or  to  caste,  and  where  it  has  become 
a  habit  —  a  fixed  idea  for  generations." 

He  stroked  his  long  beard  in  a  way  peculiar  to  him 
when  he  was  agitated. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  61 

"Perhaps  I  wrong  him,"  he  resumed,  in  a  more 
cheerful  tone.  "  He  may  be  on  his  way  to  see  me,  at 
this  very  moment." 

A  loud  knock  at  the  door  interrupted  his  self-com- 
munings.  Selim  had  returned,  and  announced  that 
the  Rabbi  Sloman  was  waiting  below  and  wished  to 
see  the  Signer.  Would  he  see  him? 

"By  all  means.     Let  the  rabbi  come  up." 


CHAPTER  VI 

A  VENERABLE  old  man  of  mild  countenance, 
diminutive  stature  and  attenuated  frame,  slightly 
bent  with  the  weight  of  his  many  years,  and  who  was 
attired  in  the  dress  of  a  Jewish  chief  rabbi,  entered  the 
room,  accompanied  by  two  other  Hebrews,  one  of 
whom  was  his  secretary  or  dragoman.  The  rather 
refined-looking  old  man  was  the  Rabbi  Sloman,  whose 
name  was  probably  a  corruption  of  Solomon. 

As  Anselmo  Jacobini  was  reputed  to  be  rich,  at  least 
in  Jerusalem,  and  was,  moreover,  generous  in  his  char 
ities,  he  was  treated  with  great  respect  by  all  who  came 
in  contact  with  him,  and  especially  by  the  Jews.  The 
chief  rabbis  frequently  came  to  consult  and  advise  with 
the  retired  banker ;  and  he  was  sure  to  be  addressed  as 
Signor  by  all  who  had  any  object  to  gain  with  him. 
His  Italian  life  had  given  him  a  certain  freedom  of 
opinion  in  regard  to  many  of  the  more  rigid  and  out 
worn  observances  of  his  religion,  which  in  any  one  of 
less  authority  and  of  less  wealth  would  not  have  been 
condoned.  But  in  this  case  it  was  advisable  to  wink  at 
much  that  could  not  have  been  permitted  in  another. 

In  Jerusalem  there  is  in  general  such  an  abject  sub 
mission  on  the  part  of  the  Jews  in  good  standing  to 
everything  even  of  the  most  tyrannical  character  em 
anating  from  their  head  rabbis  and  pertaining  to  the 
Mosaic  law  and  their  religion,  as  to  be  scarcely  credible. 
According  to  the  more  rigid  observances  of  the  Sab- 


62  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

bath,  for  instance,  during  the  holy  day  an  umbrella 
cannot  be  opened  even  in  the  most  deluging  rain,  or 
in  the  most  scorching  sun ;  a  handkerchief  or  a  piece 
of  money  cannot  be  carried  in  the  pocket ;  no  cooking 
must  be  done ;  nor  can  a  match  be  lighted,  nor  a  cigar 
ette  be  smoked.  Hebrews  who  would  be  Hebrews 
indeed,  must  discard  all  European  dress  and  wear  the 
peculiar  garb  of  the  Israelite.  They  must  not  shave, 
or  even  trim  their  beards  or  side  locks,  lest  they  offend 
against  the  law  which  prescribes,  "Thou  shalt  not  mar 
the  corners  of  thy  beard."  The  peculiar  and  almost 
invariably  filthy  garments  seen  on  this  people,  on  every 
side  are  a  positive  testimony ;  so  are  the  disgusting 
corkscrew  ringlets,  known  as  peahs,  worn  on  each  side 
of  the  men's  faces. 

The  degree  in  which  Jacobini  was  regarded  as  a  spe 
cially  privileged  character  therefore  must  not  be  under 
estimated. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  must  be  confessed  that  this 
extremely  rigid  interpretation  of  the  law,  entering  into 
the  most  minute  details  of  everyday  life  with  an  op 
pressiveness  almost  unbearable,  engenders  on  the  part 
of  many  of  its  pretended  observers  a  secret  shirking  of 
the  odious  obedience.  There  is  in  every  direction  a 
setting  about  to  evade  and  shift  responsibility.  The 
Jews,  from  of  old,  have  ever  been  past-masters  in  the  art 
of  evasion.  Even  the  rabbis  are  known  to  go  down  to 
the  market  on  the  Sabbath,  and  purchase  what  they 
choose,  with  impunity,  but  are  careful  not  to  complete 
the  transaction  by  paying  for  what  they  buy.  This  is 
delayed  till  the  following  day,  which  being  the  Christian 
holy  day  is  all  the  more  agreeable  for  the  purpose. 
Such  action  would  seem  to  most  unbiassed  thinkers 
simply  what  is  described,  in  language  more  graphic 
than  elegant,  as  "  Whipping  the  Devil  round  the 
stump."  Yet  their  religious  law  permits  it. 

The  Rabbi  Sloman  had,  on  this  occasion,  much  to 
consult  about,  and  many  charitable  schemes  to  recom 
mend  ;  and  Anselmo  Jacobini  listened  to  him  with  all 
due  patience,  yielding  a  not  ungenerous  response. 
They  spoke  of  the  rapid  influx  of  the  Jews ;  their 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  63 

persecution  in  Russia  and  other  countries,  and  the 
necessity  of  providing  homes  and  support  for  those 
afflicted,  poverty-stricken  people,  until  one  might  well 
think  the  subject  exhausted,  if  exhausted  it  could  be ; 
yet  still  the  chief  rabbi  lingered.  He  seemed  to  hes 
itate  at  delivering  some  further  message,  till  admonished 
by  an  expressive  gesture  from  the  Rabbi  Ben  Cohen 
who  accompanied  him. 

It  had  always  been  a  sore  trial  to  the  neighbouring 
Jews  that  Jacobini  employed  as  his  personal  attendant 
and  dragoman  a  Moslem  Syrian  —  an  unbeliever,  instead 
of  one  of  the  Lord's  people.  This  dereliction  of  duty, 
the  rabbi  now,  though  with  some  misgivings,  under 
took  to  point  out,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  Jacobini, 
who  very  properly  considered  it  was  a  private  matter, 
pertaining  to  himself,  and  in  which  the  rabbi  had  no 
right  to  interfere. 

"  You  might  have  one  of  your  own  co-religionists,  one 
of  the  sons  of  Israel,"  continued  the  rabbi,  after  opening 
the  subject,  "  instead  of  this  profane  follower  of  the 
False  Prophet." 

"Ah!  Indeed?"  gasped  Jacobini,  controlling  his 
displeasure  but  imperfectly. 

"  It  is  an  occasion  of  much  offence  to  our  people,  and, 
it  seems  to  me,  justly  so." 

"  Excuse  me,  but  I  do  not  see  that  they  have  any  rea 
son  to  be  offended  in  the  matter.  I  simply  exercise  the 
right  to  choose  my  own  servant.  If  I  prefer  one  man 
to  another,  it  is  my  privilege.  They  have  no  right  to 
call  me  to  an  account  for  so  doing." 

Jacobini  spoke  with  decided  warmth,  and  as  if  deter 
mined  to  end  the  matter. 

"  True,  true  ;  but  consider,  it  is  not  the  custom  of  our 
people  to  do  this  thing.  When  you  might  aid  one  of 
your  own  brethren  —  and  — 

The  rabbi,  a  most  amiable  man,  paused.  He  feared 
that  Jacobini,  from  what  he  had  said,  and  his  angry 
glance,  was  not  likely  to  be  moved,  and  he  wisely  pre 
ferred  not  to  irritate  him  by  saying  all  he  had  intended 
to  say. 

"The  matter  is  one  not  apt  to  be  mended,  but  rather 


64  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

to  grow  worse.  What  would  they  say  to  find  me  invit 
ing  a  Christian  under  my  roof —  into  intimate  association 
with  me?  " 

"  God  forbid  !  "  exclaimed  the  rabbi. 

"  Nevertheless,  it  is  likely  to  be  so." 

"  How  may  this  be  ?  " 

"  I  am  expecting  my  nephew,  my  sister's  son,  to  come 
and  visit  me  —  perhaps  to  stay  with  me  for  the  re 
mainder  of  my  days,  which  may  not  be  long  upon  the 
earth.  He  may  arrive  at  any  time.  I  do  not  know. 
He  ought  to  be  with  me  now." 

The  old  man's  voice  trembled  as  he  spoke  the  last 
words;  while  the  two  rabbis  took  snuff  from  an  enor 
mous  silver  box,  glancing  significantly  at  one  another. 

"Your  nephew  —  your  sister's  son,"  repeated  the 
Rabbi  Sloman ;  "  then  he  must  be  a  son  of  Israel." 

"  Surely,  surely,"  coincided  the  companion  rabbi, 
Ben  Cohen,  who  blew  his  nose  on  a  soiled  blue  cotton 
handkerchief,  and  leaned  forward  to  help  himself  to 
another  liberal  pinch  of  the  snuff. 

"  It  does  not  follow,  apparently,"  replied  Jacobini. 
"  His  father  was  of  the  Spollato  family,  a  Christian, 
or,  as  you  would  say,  one  of  the  Nazarenes ;  and  my 
nephew  was  brought  up  a  Christian." 

"  He  has  never  had  the  ancient  rite  performed 
upon  him,  then?"  responded  the  Rabbi  Sloman  in 
terrogatively. 

"  Never,  so  far  as  I  know." 

An  almost  comical  expression  overspread  the  features 
of  Jacobini  as  the  subject  rather  grotesquely  presented 
itself  to  him  in  connection  with  Leone  and  the  pride  and 
exclusiveness  of  the  Spoliates. 

"  Ah,  that  comes  of  the  evil  of  mixed  marriages  !  "  ex 
claimed  the  Rabbi  Ben  Cohen. 

"  Doubtless.  In  all  probability  my  nephew  would 
look  on  it,  as  do  most  Christians,  as  a  barbarous  mutila 
tion  —  a  savage  rite." 

"  I  have  heard  the  uncircumcised  sons  of  Belial  jest 
about  our  holy  things;  and  I  know  what  is  in  their 
corrupt  natures.  They  are  full  of  all  uncleanness  and 
wantonness.  But  what  can  you  expect?" 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  65 

It  was  the  Rabbi  Ben  Cohen  who  spoke,  and  with  a 
peculiar  vindictiveness  apparently  wanting  to  the  chief 
rabbi.  His  hooked  nose,  of  monstrous  proportions  and 
shape,  gave  an  indescribably  malicious  aspect  to  a  face 
which  otherwise  also  possessed  in  a  pronounced  degree 
unpleasant  characteristics.  There  could  be  no  mistaking, 
for  an  instant,  his  idiosyncrasies. 

"  But  now,  no  doubt,  you  hope  to  bring  the  young 
man  to  the  true  belief.  Under  your  influence  much  may 
be  expected,"  interposed  the  Rabbi  Sloman. 

"  I  fear  it  is  not  reasonable  to  expect  too  much  from 
my  nephew  in  that  direction.  Had  my  poor  sister  lived 
long  enough  to  instil  into  his  mind  the  lessons  of  our 
holy  religion,  how  different  it  might  all  have  been.  But 
she  died  when  Leone  was  a  mere  infant." 

"  You  have  a  duty  upon  you  in  this,  which  you  should 
not  lightly  set  aside.  In  any  way  that  I  can  help  in  the 
good  work  you  can  command  me.  I  shall  only  be  too 
glad  to  use  my  efforts  with  the  young  man." 

"Thank  you,  Rabbi,  thank  you.  I  fear  he  would  look 
upon  all  our  interest  with  disdain." 

"  It  is  a  bitter  lesson,  a  sore  warning,"  reiterated  the 
Rabbi  Ben  Cohen.  "  One  cannot  be  too  strict  in  pro 
hibiting  such  marriages.  There  must  be  no  leniency." 

"  Yes,  there  must  be  no  leniency,"  repeated  the  chief 
rabbi. 

Jacobini  had  risen  while  Ben  Cohen  spoke,  and,  stand 
ing  in  the  balcony-like  window,  looked  toward  the  Mount 
of  Olives,  whose  southwesterly  slopes  were  thickly  set 
with  Hebrew  graves.  The  innumerable  tombstones,  in 
general  of  the  very  rudest  make,  some  of  the  oldest  being, 
indeed,  hardly  discernible  from  the  unhewn  rock  itself, 
stood  out  on  the  face  of  the  Mount,  in  the  brazen  glare 
of  the  Palestine  sun,  like  a  leprous  mass  of  eruption. 
There  was  scarcely  a  tree  or  a  shrub  to  shade  or  shield 
them.  Higher  up  the  mountain,  and  below,  and  on 
either  side  were  scattered  clumps  of  dusky  olive-trees ; 
but  the  graves  were  utterly  exposed,  with  an  almost 
dreadful  ugliness,  a  horrible  nakedness,  to  the  blazing 
eye  of  the  sun.  Yet  there  were  few  of  even  the  rudest  of 
those  gravestones  that  some  loving  hand  had  not  marked 

5 


66  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

with  brief  memorial  inscription  in  the  unmistakable 
radical  characters  that  their  ancestors  had  brought  back 
with  them  from  their  captivity  in  Babylon,  where  they 
had  lost  their  ancient  alphabet. 

Often  had  Jacobini  stood  by  this  window  in  the  night 
time  and  watched  the  torches  as  they  flitted  over  the 
hillside. 

"  Another  poor  Israelite  laid  away,"  he  would  mutter, 
sorrowfully  shaking  his  head.  "  Well  may  they  bury 
their  dead  at  night,  hiding  their  misery  in  the  darkness. 
Surely  no  people  have  been  afflicted  as  they  have  been 
afflicted." 

A  half-suppressed  sigh  parted  the  old  man's  lips  as  he 
now  stood  gazing  on  the  dismal  view.  He  was  weary  of 
the  conversation,  and  would  willingly  have  changed  it. 

"There  is  not  such  another  sight  in  the  whole  world," 
he  said.  "  Poor  Hebrews  ;  it  is  here  we  come,  at  the  last, 
to  lay  our  bones.  There  is  no  compromising  with  death 
there  —  no  pretence  at  beautifying.  Perhaps  it  is  as  well 
that  it  is  so." 

"  Surely  it  is  well,"  said  the  chief  rabbi,  hardly  com 
prehending  Jacobini.  "  Every  true  son  of  Israel  natur 
ally  desires  to  be  buried  in  the  sacred  spot.  You  and  I 
—  we  all  desire  it,  when  the  time  comes.  But,  excuse 
me,  will  you  not  consider  what  we  have  spoken  to  you 
regarding  your  servant,  this  Selim,  this  unbelieving 
Moslem?"  he  continued,  returning  to  the  charge. 
"  Could  you  change  him  for  one  of  the  seed  of  Jacob, 
it  would  remove  a  great  cause  of  offence,  and  be  a  source 
of  peace  and  comfort  to  yourself.  Ben  Cohen  and  I 
have  talked  the  matter  over ;  and  we  have  selected  a 
man  for  you  in  every  way  suitable,  one  who  will  give  you 
every  satisfaction." 

"  He  is  Nathan,  brother  of  the  rabbi's  dragoman," 
added  Ben  Cohen. 

A  flush  of  anger  tinged  for  a  moment  the  pale  face 
of  Jacobini.  His  eyes,  which  had  been  lowered,  were 
suddenly  lifted,  showing  a  dangerous  gleam  in  their  dark 
depths. 

"Thank  you,"  he  replied,  with  a  haughty  inclination 
of  the  head;  "I  am  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  your 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  67 

thoughtful  interest.  The  truth  is,  however,  that  I  have 
taken  a  liking  to  this  unbeliever  —  this  Selim.  In  spite 
of  all  his  shortcomings,  there  is  something  about  him 
that  pleases  me ;  and,  now  that  I  am  expecting  my 
nephew,  who  doubtless  would  prefer  Selim  to  an  Israel 
ite,  I  will  make  no  change,  at  least  for  the  present." 

"  You  surprise  me !  "  exclaimed  Ben  Cohen,  and  sud 
denly  stopped. 

Both  the  reverends  were  silent  with  chagrin. 

"  Yes,"  added  Jacobini,  "  I  am  sure  my  nephew  would 
prefer  Selim." 

The  rabbis  saw  that  there  was  no  use  in  further  argu 
ment,  and,  having  already  partaken  of  the  usual  Orien 
tal  refreshments,  consisting  of  conserves,  liqueurs  and 
coffee,  which  Selim  had  produced,  they,  after  a  few  com 
monplace  and  complimentary  remarks,  took  their  leave. 

"  You  will,  at  least,  consider  the  matter,  and  let  us 
know,"  they  said,  tenacious  of  their  authority,  and  bow 
ing  themselves  out. 

It  was  a  relief  to  Jacobini  as  he  returned  their  saluta 
tions. 

"  I  really  think  it  best  for  me  to  retain  Selim.  I  be 
lieve  he  would  suit  Leone  far  better  than  the  Hebrew. 
Besides  I  hardly  care  to  place  myself  so  utterly  under 
the  surveillance  of  those  intrusive  people.  There  is 
some  limit  to  forbearance."  These  were  the  conclusions 
of  Jacobini,  spoken  to  himself  when  again  alone  in  his 
chamber.  He  had  given  the  rabbis  no  promise  to  con 
sider  the  matter. 

Selim,  after  the  manner  of  the  Oriental,  with  eye  and 
ear  to  keyhole,  had  learned  the  principal  object  of  the 
rabbis'  visit;  and  now,  redoubling  his  attentions  and 
fascinations  with  Jacobini,  as  a  consequence  held  a 
higher  place  than  ever  in  his  regard.  The  subtle  Syrian, 
like  all  his  people,  knew  to  perfection  how  to  make  him 
self  agreeable,  and  thoroughly  ingratiated  himself  with 
his  master. 

What  graceful  gravity,  what  dignified  reserve  blended 
with  every  motion  of  the  lithe  body  of  Selim,  fully  con 
scious  of  his  good  looks  and  handsome  form,  while  care 
fully  concealing  all  appearance  of  that  consciousness ! 


68  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

How  well  he  knew  how  to  bestow  upon  his  master  those 
delicate  little  attentions  that  are  almost  nameless,  yet 
which  are  always  acceptable  !  He  called  himself  Jacob- 
ini's  son,  while  he  endeared  himself  to  him  more  and 
more.  As  he  came  and  went  with  panther-like  tread, 
his  physical  fascinations  had  no  little  to  do  in  holding 
him  in  the  good  graces  of  the  old  man,  who  actually 
liked  him  all  the  better  for  the  attempt  of  the  rabbis  to 
deprive  him  of  him. 

But  the  climax  was  reached  when  on  the  following 
morning  the  debonair  young  Moslem  brought  Jacobini 
the  long-looked-for  letter  from  Leone.  Nothing  could 
exceed  the  delight  of  his  master,  who  somehow  asso 
ciated  the  entire  circumstance  with  Selim,  giving  him  a 
handsome  present  in  the  first  exuberance  of  his  gratifi 
cation. 

"  And  now,  Selim,  you  must  watch  the  arrivals  at  the 
hotels,"  said  his  master,  as  he  adjusted  his  glasses,  and 
pored  over  Leone's  brief  letter.  "  My  nephew  may 
reach  Jerusalem  any  day,  and  we  must  pay  him  every 
attention,  and  not  let  him  feel  like  a  stranger  in  a  strange 
land.  I  depend  on  you  for  this.  You  must  let  me  know 
the  moment  he  arrives." 

As  Selim  bowed  his  head  in  sign  of  acquiescence,  his 
eyes  sparkled  with  the  peculiar  light  —  that  brilliant 
radiance  that  is  seldom  seen  at  such  perfection  in  any 
but  Oriental  orbs.  This  token  of  pleasure  was  repeated 
in  the  superb  smile  that  parted  his  scarlet  lips,  showing 
his  beautiful  teeth,  as  even  and  white  as  a  double  string 
of  choice  pearls.  He  was  a  sound,  wholesome  fellow 
from  the  crown  of  his  head  to  the  soles  of  his  feet ;  and 
he  felt  the  warm  animal  life  within  him,  or  rather  it  made 
itself  felt  to  him  with  an  intensity  that  would  not  be 
denied.  The  passionate  glow  was  almost  visible  in  him  ; 
and,  as  in  most  of  his  people,  seldom  failed  to  impress 
those  who  came  in  contact  with  him. 

Next  to  receiving  honour  or  reward  in  his  own  person, 
there  is  nothing  that  so  thoroughly  gratifies  an  Oriental 
as  to  be  made  the  dispenser  or  vehicle  of  another's 
bounty  or  ceremonious  respect.  It  transfigures  him. 
A  sublimity  of  exaltation  possesses  him;  and,  for  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  69 

time  being,  he  is  another  man  —  the  personification  of 
some  princely  embassade.  Backsheesh,  the  largess  of 
the  East,  is  a  stupendous  and  almost  formidable  institu 
tion,  calculated  to  astonish  if  not  overwhelm  the  un 
prepared  Occidental ;  but  ceremonious  courtesy  as 
observed  by  Asiatics  is  vastly  more,  —  it  is  the  very  life- 
blood  of  the  people. 

Thus  Selim's  joy  was  doubly  fulfilled. 


CHAPTER  VII 

THE  sun  had  set  behind  the  hills  of  Judaea,  and 
glow  after  glow  rose  and  vanished  successively 
in  that  arch  of  the  heavens  overhanging  the  Holy  City, 
circling  the  entire  horizon  with  rainbow-like  bands  of 
glorious  colours,  —  with  a  mystic  splendour  such  as  is 
seen  in  no  other  part  of  the  world.  Through  the  gorge 
of  the  Cedron  the  Moabite  mountains  showed,  like  a 
great  purple  battlement  with  pink  and  crimson  but 
tresses  ;  and  the  olive-trees  on  the  Mount  of  Olives 
caught  the  reflected  glory  on  the  subdued  green  of  their 
foliage.  So  golden  was  the  sunset  that  it  seemed  as  if 
the  sun,  instead  of  disappearing  behind  the  hills,  had 
melted  in  the  heavens. 

A  stranger  who  had  arrived  in  Jerusalem  that  evening 
stood  with  several  of  the  other  guests  gazing  from  the 
flat  roof  of  their  hotel  at  the  wondrous  sight,  with  an 
interest  that  was  only  natural ;  for  even  a  Nile  sunset 
could  not  exceed  this,  —  no,  it  could  not  approach  it. 
The  almost  complete  dying  out  of  the  glory,  succeeded 
by  a  death-like  ashen  hue,  followed  by  the  revival  of 
the  resplendent  colours,  and  this  recurring  six  or  seven 
times,  formed  not  the  least  remarkable  feature  of  the 
magnificent  display. 

There  was  something  about  the  strange  young  man 
that  instantly  attracted  the  attention ;  and  yet  it  was 
difficult  for  his  fellow-travellers  to  decide  as  to  what 
nationality  he  belonged.  Dressed  with  much  good 


jo  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

taste,  though  in  the  height  of  the  French  fashion,  his 
grace  and  dignity  of  movement  suggested  the  Greek  or 
the  so-called  "  civilised  "  Oriental.  Perhaps  one  might 
think  he  had  a  mixture  of  both  in  his  veins  with  a  pre 
dominating  dash  of  the  Italian.  As  he  paced  up  and 
down  on  the  extensive  roof  of  the  hotel,  there  was  al 
most  a  touch  of  melancholy  in  the  pronounced  features 
of  his  face  that  had  in  it  a  reminiscence  of  the  eternally 
sad  Antinous.  Was  he  sorry  for  his  sins?  And,  again, 
as  one  looked  closer,  glimpses  of  an  older  race  might  be 
detected,  and  the  suggestion  arise  that  here,  perhaps, 
was  such  a  man  as  Cleopatra  or  even  Bathsheba  might 
have  smiled  upon. 

One  thing  was  certain  —  he  would  not  have  failed  to 
return  that  smile  with  interest.  There  was,  with  all  its 
refinement  and  polish,  a  simplicity  of  audacity  about 
him  which  told  you,  in  unmistakable  language,  that  he 
would  have  the  courage  of  his  passion. 

All  sorts  and  conditions  of  men,  and  of  women  too, 
come  up  to  Jerusalem.  One  can  only  wonder  what 
attraction  it  can  possess  for  some  of  them.  And  the 
wonder  is  increased  by  finding  that  many  of  those 
anomalous  characters  are  frequently  not  merely  tran 
sient  visitors,  but  that  they  come  to  the  Holy  City  to 
make  it  their  abiding  place. 

Allusion  is  not  now  made  to  those  poor  old  Jews,  who, 
in  their  indomitable  superstition,  drag  their  miserable 
worn-out  bodies  to  the  place,  that  they  may  die  within 
the  walls,  and  be  buried  where  so  many  of  their  race 
and  of  their  forefathers  lie,  —  on  the  scarred  and  sun- 
bleached  slopes  of  the  Mount  of  Olives.  The  fanatic 
or  "  crank  "  of  all  nationalities  and  of  all  religions  finds 
his  way  to  Zion,  imbued  with  the  idea  that  he  has  a 
"  mission  "  which  he  alone  can  carry  out.  Or  some  dim 
notion  flickers  in  the  addled  brain  that  here  may  be 
found  that  peace  and  joy  in  believing,  which  he  has 
failed  to  find  elsewhere ;  or  that  prayers  said  here  have 
a  hundredfold  efficacy. 

But  such  a  young  man  as  this,  whether  Italian,  Greek, 
or  Oriental,  to  all  appearance  full  of  worldly-mindedness 
and  unrestrained  instincts,  whose  whole  being  seems  an 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  71 

embodiment  of  self-gratification,  —  he,  the  pleasure-lov 
ing  fellow,  with  sensuous  if  refined  tastes,  the  resultant 
of  a  long  line  of  warm-blooded  ancestry,  —  what  object 
has  brought  him  to  the  ancient  ruin-heap?  It  would 
not  be  easy  for  the  general  beholder  to  answer.  And 
guesses  are  idle. 

Men  are  not  always  what  they  seem.  At  any  rate, 
to-night,  some  ancient  memory,  drawn  perhaps  from  a 
long-forgotten  past,  surged  within  him ;  an  old  feeling 
for  which  he  had  no  recognition  was  resuscitated  and 
moved  him  in  a  way  surprising  to  himself. 

What  archaic  longings  lurk  in  the  blood,  —  what  dis 
positions  lie  hidden  there,  waiting  for  the  appointed  time 
to  wake  up  and  assert  themselves,  whether  for  good  or 
evil.  He  thought  of  his  Hebraic  ancestry,  and  tried  to 
feel  backward  through  it  to  the  remote  beginning  of  the 
things  that  lay  before  him.  Centuries  returned,  passing 
beneath  his  mental  gaze,  and  vanished  as  they  had  come. 
At  last  he  grew  dizzy  at  the  complicated  scenes  he  cpuld 
not  grasp,  and  turned  from  them. 

Looking  toward  the  Turkish  barracks,  on  the  near 
slope  of  Zion's  hill,  he  saw  the  flat  roof  was  covered  with 
living,  moving  objects.  He  might  well  imagine  it  the 
continuation  of  the  visions  of  his  brain.  It  was  the  sol 
diers  at  their  evening  prayer.  The  greater  part  of  a 
regiment  was  there,  Moslems,  all  praying  at  once.  He 
could  see  distinctly,  against  the  flame-coloured  sky, 
every  genuflection  and  prostration,  the  bowing  of  the 
heads,  the  outstretched  hands,  —  not  a  movement  was 
lost.  How  wonderful  it  was !  Nearly  an  entire  regi 
ment  worshipping  at  once.  And  every  man  of  them, 
before  ascending  to  pray,  had  performed  the  ablution, 
and  purified  himself,  with  water,  of  all  uncleanness ; 
where  necessary,  carrying  out  the  abstersions  known 
as  the  Istinga  and  the  Ghusl  masuun,  as  required  by  the 
Mohammedan  religion. 

"  Was  there  ever  such  another  sight !  "  he  exclaimed. 
"  Does  any  other  people  or  belief  present  a  scene  like 
this?" 

He  was  lost  in  wonder  at  it,  as  well  he  might  be. 
Every  night,  at  sunset,  this  was  repeated. 


72  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

His  reverie  was  broken  by  the  ringing  of  the  last  din 
ner-bell.  He  looked  around  him,  and  saw  that  he  was 
alone.  All  the  other  guests  who  had  been  on  the  roof 
had  gone  below.  It  was  already  commencing  to  grow 
dusk,  and  the  stars  had  begun  to  appear. 

Searching  for  the  narrow  stone  stairway  by  which  he 
must  descend,  he  walked  the  entire  length  of  the  house 
top,  which  was  paved  with  broad  stone  slabs,  and  with, 
here  and  there,  a  low  hemispherical  dome  rising  to  break 
the  monotony  of  the  flat  surface.  Reaching  the  foot  of 
the  flight,  he  found  himself  upon  the  wide  second  land 
ing,  which  was  like  a  loggia,  and  open  on  the  southward 
and  eastward  to  air  and  sky.  Below,  laving  the  very 
base  of  the  building,  lay  the  darkling  Pool  of  Hezekiah, 
with  an  occasional  reflection  of  light  mirrored  in  its  waters 
from  the  houses  rising  out  of  it  on  each  of  its  four  sides, 
and  forming  its  inclosing  bounds.  He  noticed  again  the 
quaint  irregular  structures  with  their  curious,  oddly- 
disposed  windows  and  their  bracketed  balconies  over 
hanging  the  water.  Here  and  there,  a  tuft  of  hyssop  or 
some  other  ragged  mendicant  plant  grew  out  of  the  walls, 
or  a  bit  of  scarlet  drapery,  brilliantly  visible  by  the  lights 
behind  it,  made  a  pleasant  note  of  colour  in  the  fast-gather 
ing  gloom ;  and,  on  the  right,  one  palm-tree  raised  aloft 
its  plumy  head. 

Lifting  his  eyes,  he  beheld,  in  the  background,  beyond 
all,  the  entire  front  of  the  Mount  of  Olives,  spread  out 
like  a  panorama  before  him.  On  its  southwesterly 
slopes  he  could  still  detect  the  clumps  of  olive-trees,  and 
even  those  strange  spotty  marks  dotting  its  surface,  and 
which  he  knew  to  be  Hebrew  graves.  Beneath,  this  side 
the  Cedron,  lay  the  Temple  site,  covered  by  the  Mosque 
of  Omar,  hiding  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane  behind  it. 

What  unspeakable  peace  broods  over  all ! 

But  what  is  that  sudden  vapourous  light,  like  a  beacon- 
fire,  shooting  up  into  the  heavens  from  behind  the  Mount, 
becoming  each  moment  more  intense  in  its  brightness, 
till,  at  last,  every  undulation  of  the  entire  outline  of  the 
historic  hill  is  clearly  defined  against  the  sky?  There  is 
a  golden  core  to  the  light  which  rises  and  expands.  All 
at  once,  full-born,  it  leaps  into  the  air,  free  of  earth,  im- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  73 

maculate,  spectre-like.  Glory  of  glories,  it  is  the  virgin 
of  the  heavens,  —  the  full-orbed  moon  ! 

It  is  a  sight  never  to  be  forgotten,  —  that  moon-rise 
over  Olivet. 

What  wonder  that  he  lingers  to  drink  in  the  serene 
majestic  beauty  of  the  scene  !  His  peculiar  nature  made 
him  keenly  alive  to  all  such  sights.  This  sort  of  enjoy 
ment  was  as  necessary  to  him  as  the  more  material  grati 
fication  of  his  bodily  appetites.  He  laved  in  it,  —  revelled 
in  it. 

He  almost  started,  as  if  awaked  from  a  dream,  when  a 
waiter  approached  to  remind  him  that  dinner  was  served  ; 
and,  entering  his  room  and  making  some  hasty  prepara 
tions,  he  went  down  to  the  salle  a  manger. 

In  the  entire  world,  excepting  Palestine,  there  is  not, 
perhaps,  another  dining-room  similar  to  the  one  he  now 
entered.  As  in  all  the  rooms  in  the  house,  the  floor  was 
paved  with  stone  flags  ;  and  the  thickness  of  the  walls  in 
which  the  arched  windows  were  sunk  suggested  a  fortress 
rather  than  a  dwelling.  The  groined  ceiling  and  the 
pilasters  gave  it  an  ecclesiastical  aspect  —  the  character 
of  the  private  chapel  of  some  nobleman  or  king.  This 
effect  was  heightened  by  its  being  principally  lighted  by 
lamps  of  antique  design,  suspended  by  chains  from  over 
head.  Both  walls  and  ceiling  were  frescoed  in  colours ; 
the  former  with  landscapes,  the  latter  with  trailing  vines. 

The  largest  and  most  pretentious  of  the  paintings 
covered  the  wall  towards  the  upper  end  of  the  room,  and 
did  not  fail  to  draw  the  attention  and  wondering  criticism 
of  the  traveller.  It  was  a  composite  design,  an  Eastern 
landscape,  in  which  it  was  difficult  to  determine  as  to 
whether  the  round  face  of  the  presiding  luminary  was 
meant  to  represent  the  sun  or  the  moon.  The  pyramids 
of  Ghizeh,  the  glorious  columns  of  the  temple  at  Baalbec, 
and  an  oasis  with  palms,  in  the  desert  of  Sahara,  were 
confusingly  combined  with  the  Tomb  of  Absalom  in  the 
Valley  of  Jehosaphat,  while  in  the  background  a  river 
resembling  the  Mississippi  rolled,  like  a  ribbon  of  silver, 
at  the  foot  of  a  range  of  mountains  suggesting  the  Him 
alayas.  A  decrepit,  mangy-looking  lion  crouched  among 
the  ruins  of  the  foreground. 


74  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

How  many  a  weary  traveller  has  found  this  unfortunate 
composition  a  welcome  relief,  as  affording  a  topic  for 
conversation,  and  an  easy  subject  for  his  wit  and  raillery  ! 
So  it  was  on  this  occasion.  As  Leone  Spoliate  (for  it 
was  he)  took  his  place  at  the  table,  the  threadbare  sub 
ject  was  again  under  discussion.  It  was  a  target  always 
set  up,  ready  to  render  comparatively  sharp  the  blunt 
arrows  of  the  most  witless  critic. 

He  found  himself  seated  next  to  a  young  lady  whom 
he  had  seen  on  the  roof,  and  had  especially  noticed  as 
being  good-looking.  This  last  mentioned  fact  was  quite 
sufficient  to  put  him  on  his  mettle,  and  bring  out  his  best 
points,  or  those  considered  such  by  the  fair  sex.  It 
stimulated  him  like  some  rare  wine.  Under  such  circum 
stances  his  manner  visibly  underwent  a  transformation. 
Every  motion  had  an  elegance  and  grace  that  intensified 
all  that  was  attractive  about  him.  In  justice  to  him  it 
must  be  said  there  was  no  effort  in  this ;  it  was  all  natu 
ral  ;  and  he  was  often  quite  unconscious  of  it. 

Uncommonly  attentive  in  assisting  the  young  lady  at 
table,  the  ice  was  quickly  broken,  and  they  launched  into 
conversation  with  wonderful  ease.  He  undoubtedly  had 
a  remarkable  gift  in  such  cases,  and  seldom  failed  to 
impress  the  so-called  weaker  vessels  with  a  certain  admi 
ration  for  him.  That  the  result  was  not  wanting  in  the 
present  instance,  he  felt  he  had  reason  to  flatter  himself. 
The  sympathetic  eyes  sought  his  face  with  that  peculiar 
expression  he  had  learned  so  well  to  know,  and  in  which 
he  thought  he  could  hardly  be  mistaken. 

The  young  lady  spoke  English,  in  which  Leone  was 
proficient;  and  presently  he  discovered  she  was  an 
American.  Handsomely  dressed,  and  wearing  rich 
jewels,  there  were  other  correspondent  signs  whereby 
the  conclusion  was  reached  that  she  was  probably 
wealthy. 

He  had  heard  her  addressed  as  Miss  Warren,  and  her 
lady  friend  and  companion  had  called  her  Augusta,  there 
fore  he  knew  her  name.  But,  it  need  scarcely  be  said, 
he  was  by  far  too  well-bred  not  to  understand  that  this 
would  give  him  no  right  to  use  it  in  speaking  to  her  at 
this  stage  of  their  acquaintance. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  y  $ 

The  general  conversation  of  the  company  had  drifted 
from  the  most  convenient,  crude,  and  composite  of  fresco 
paintings,  and  had  at  length  reached  that  venerable 
subject,  the  Jew.  There  were  few  of  those  present  who, 
having  made  a  short  visit  in  Jerusalem,  did  not  feel  com 
petent  to  dispose  of  the  ancient  city  and  people  in  a  brief 
set  of  jaunty  off-hand  sentences. 

Yet,  it  could  not  be  denied,  that  many  a  practical  or 
appropriate  thought  found  succinct  expression  in  this 
mixed  company;  many  a  word  of  common  sense  and 
keen  appreciation  floated  out  on  the  stagnant  atmosphere 
of  a  land  not  given  to  common  sense  in  general. 

Some  spoke  of  the  overcrowding  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre 
church  with  relics  of  doubtful  authenticity,  associated 
with  historic  acts  which  could  not  have  taken  place  there, 
thus  pandering  to  the  ignorant  superstition  of  the  multi 
tude.  Then  they  brought  forward  the  contradictory 
sacred  places  and  legends  of  the  Greek  Church,  in  oppo 
sition  to  the  Latins,  throwing  discredit  on  all.  Two 
wealthy  bankers  from  Moscow  did  not  hesitate  to  pro 
claim  they  regretted  having  come  to  Jerusalem. 

"  It  has  spoiled  our  faith  !  It  has  spoiled  our  faith  !  " 
they  continued  to  repeat,  in  evident  distress. 

There  was  much  to  be  said  as  to  the  abundant  display 
of  orders  and  so-called  decorations. 

"  When  I  saw  Tom,  Dick,  and  Harry  decorated,  and 
even  the  guides  wearing  those  symbols  of  suppositious 
honour,"  said  one  young  man,  "  I  looked  around,  expect 
ing  to  see  the  porters  and  donkeys  decorated,  but  was 
greatly  disappointed,  as  I  considered  them  much  better 
entitled  to  the  distinction  than  some  of  those  who  had 
received  it." 

"  You  are  quite  correct,"  replied  an  elderly  gentleman, 
who  seemed  to  have  spent  some  time  in  the  city. 
"  Among  the  things  most  to  be  admired  in  Jerusalem  are 
the  porters  and  the  donkeys.  There  is  a  certain  likeness 
and  relationship  between  them  —  those  hard-worked  and 
poorly-paid  fellow-labourers.  The  more  I  know  them  the 
more  I  honour  them.  I  cannot  but  feel  a  certain  respect 
for  them  beyond  the  common.  What  enormous  loads 
those  Coptic  and  Nubian  porters  carry  !  It  passes  belief. 


y6  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

As  to  the  donkeys,  they  are  the  best  in  the  world,  except 
ing  perhaps  those  of  Cairo." 

"  The  trouble  about  those  orders  of  merit  and  decora 
tions,"  added  another  speaker,  "  is  generally  this :  the 
worthless,  or  rather  unworthy,  strain  after  and  usually 
succeed  in  getting  them,  while  the  really  meritorious 
and  the  great  disregard  them,  or  despise  them  on  account 
of  their  promiscuous  bestowal." 

Leone,  though  understanding  and  speaking  English, 
joined  but  little  in  the  general  conversation.  He  satis 
fied  himself  with  paying  quiet  attentions  to  Miss  Warren 
and  her  companion,  addressing  an  occasional  comment 
to  the  same  ladies. 

After  dinner  he  again  found  himself  in  Miss  Warren's 
company.  He  certainly  had  made  himself  agreeable  to 
her,  and  she  did  not  scruple  to  let  him  perceive  it,  and 
to  encourage  him  in  further  manifestations  of  a  similar 
nature. 

He  having  mentioned  the  beauty  of  the  view  by  moon 
light  from  the  roof  of  the  hotel,  she  at  once  saw  the 
romantic  character  of  the  position,  and  expressed  so  great 
a  desire  to  behold  the  charming  effects  as  he  had  described 
them,  that  he  could  do  no  less  than  offer  to  accompany 
her  there.  She  was  not  satisfied  till  they  ascended  to  the 
highest  point  —  upon  the  flat  roof.  The  full  clear  moon 
light  had  performed  the  work  of  enchantment  with  the 
scene.  The  silvery  transparent  flood,  a  vast  overflowing 
lake  of  light,  submerged  everything.  It  was  a  transfigu 
ration  —  a  spiritualising  of  each  object  they  had  already 
beheld  in  the  warm,  voluptuous  sunlight.  The  dullest 
mind  could  not  but  have  some  appreciation  of  it.  And 
these  two  who  were  now  enjoying  the  entrancing  sight, 
were  anything  but  dull.  No  doubt,  too,  the  agreeable 
companionship  was  not  without  its  effect  on  both  of  them. 

"  How  remarkably  beautiful !  How  wonderfully  fine  ! 
Far  beyond  the  view  by  daylight !  " 

These  were  some  of  Miss  Warren's  admiring,  if  some 
what  commonplace  exclamations,  as  she  and  Leone 
lingered  on  the  roof,  and  tried  to  make  out  and  designate 
the  more  important  places  and  buildings  in  the  world- 
renowned  scene. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  77 

To  the  westward  the  Tower  of  David,  on  the  slopes  of 
Mount  Zion,  lifted  its  great  central  mass  of  battlemented 
walls  and  castle  against  the  sky.  On  the  opposite  slopes 
showed  the  two  bluish  domes  of  the  chief  synagogues, 
blanched  by  the  moonlight.  Immediately  beneath  the 
spot  where  the  young  people  stood,  the  sombre  Pool  of 
Hezekiah,  reflected  on  its  motionless  surface  the  unbroken 
image  of  the  twin  domes  (Latin  and  Greek)  of  the  Basilica 
of  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  looking  down  upon  it  from  the 
northward.  Tapering  shafts  of  variously-shaped  minarets, 
here  and  there  shot  up  in  isolated  pride,  as  if  moulded 
out  of  pure  silver.  Farther  away,  to  the  eastward,  on 
the  lesser  height  of  Mount  Moriah,  the  extensive  Temple 
Enclosure  spread  itself  in  dignified  repose,  surrounding 
the  most  beautiful  dome  of  all,  that  of  the  Mosque  of 
Omar,  marking  the  site  of  the  Holy  Temple,  the  spot 
where  the  visible  presence  of  God  manifested  itself  in  the 
Shekinah,  above  the  Mercy  Seat  —  the  Holy  of  Holies; 
and  beyond  all  rose  Olivet,  its  highest  height  crowned 
with  the  towering  Russian  belfry,  dominating  everything. 
Turning  again  to  the  westward,  they  saw,  beyond  the 
whitewashed  walls  of  the  Turkish  barracks,  and  covering 
part  of  the  northerly  summit  of  Mount  Zion,  the  Garden 
of  King  Herod,  now  belonging  to  the  Armenian  church, 
its  dark  cypresses  and  pines  with  a  palm  or  two  making 
a  refreshing  spot  for  the  eye  to  rest  upon.  They  could 
catch  what  they  took  to  be  a  glimmer  of  the  hills  of 
Judaea  through  the  trees  in  the  Herodian  garden.  With 
what  suggestive  memories  and  thoughts  of  the  deepest 
import  all  they  beheld  abounded  !  If  there  had  been 
any  taint  of  frivolity  in  the  heart  or  upon  the  lips  of 
either  Leone  or  Miss  Warren  it  could  not  but  dissolve 
and  disappear  in  the  presence  of  such  surroundings  as 
these.  Silence  fell  upon  both  of  them.  Leone  was 
especially  affected,  —  strangely  so  for  one  like  him. 

"And  this,"  he  mused,  "is  Jerusalem,  the  desired  of 
all  the  earth." 

He  thought  of  his  mother  and  her  people.  This  had 
been  their  home  —  their  nest,  ages  ago.  Here  they  had 
had  their  origin.  He  was  closely  allied  to  all  this,  whether 
he  would  or  not.  It  was  in  his  blood.  He  shuddered. 


78  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

It  was  a  mixed  feeling.  Not  a  hint  of  it  must  be  conveyed 
to  Miss  Warren.  Yet  what  a  fascination  it  had  for  him. 
It  drew  him  to  it  with  a  magnet-like  force  he  could  scarcely 
repel. 

An  irresistible  desire  seized  him  to  walk,  down  among 
those  lights  and  shadows,  under  the  Tower  of  David,  and 
through  the  arched  streets.  If  these  places  had  for  others 
a  sanctity  and  a  weird  charm,  should  they  not  have  for 
him  a  thousandfold  more  interest,  an  immeasurable 
attraction  and  delight?  The  Jew  was  growing  strong 
within  him  and  gaining  the  ascendency.  That  which, 
through  his  prejudice,  he  had  abhorred  and  loathed,  had 
clutched  him  and  was  compelling  him  —  hugging  him  to 
its  heart.  Was  it  a  bear-like  grip  that  would  not  be 
shaken  off? 

"  You  are  remarkably  silent.  I  would  give  much  to 
know  what  you  are  thinking  of,"  said  Miss  Warren, 
noticing  his  enrapt  expression. 

"  I  was  only  giving  way  to  the  feeling  that  I  wanted  to 
see  those  places  near  by  —  to  walk  those  streets  —  to 
touch  some  of  those  objects  and  satisfy  myself  of  their 
reality.  And  I  want  to  do  it  now  —  this  moment." 

He  spoke  in  grave,  measured  tones. 

"  Strange,"  she  said.  "  I  have  the  very  same  feeling. 
Pray  let  me  go  with  you.  Let  us  go  at  once." 

"-Is  it  not  too  late  for  you?  "  he  asked,  in  simple  sur 
prise,  not  understanding  such  independence. 

"  No,  no,"  she  said.  "  I  assure  you  I  do  not  mind  it. 
Nor  do  I  consider  it  late.  I  believe  you  have  infected 
me  with  your  longing.  I,  too,  want  to  walk  among  those 
mysterious  dreamy  places,  this  very  night.  Do  not  dis 
appoint  me." 

"  I  shall  be  only  too  well  pleased  to  have  your  com 
pany,"  he  murmured. 

He  descended  through  the  long  confusing  corridors 
and  stairways  to  the  heavy  bolted  gateway  and  the  street, 
she  rashly  accompanying  him. 

"  What  is  to  be  said?  "  he  thought.  "  It  is  not  for  me 
to  say." 

The  porter,  seeing  them  approach,  rubbed  his  eyes, 
and  shook  off  a  little  of  his  drowsy  state,  as  he  arose 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  79 

from  his  divan,  and,  drawing  back  the  bolt,  opened  one 
leaf  of  the  gate  to  let  them  through.  He  awoke  suffi 
ciently  to  ask  them  if  they  wished  for  a  guide  with  a 
lantern. 

But  this  would  have  spoiled  everything  for  the  roman 
tic  pair;  and  they  quickly  protested  they  had  no  need 
for  such  an  attendant. 

They  being  forthwith  enlightened  as  to  the  fact  that 
the  law  required  lanterns  to  be  carried  at  night,  and 
that  it  was  a  necessity  in  the  dark  and  narrow  streets, 
they  explained  they  were  going  but  a  little  way,  and 
would  be  back  in  a  few  minutes.  As  Leone,  while  he 
spoke,  dropped  a  piece  of  silver  into  the  porter's  hand, 
the  man  had  nothing  more  to  say.  He  had  done  his 
duty. 

It  was  with  a  strange  sensation,  yet  one  of  relief,  that 
they  heard  the  iron-sheathed  gate  close  behind  them,  as 
if  shutting  them  out  from  the  last  connection  with  civili 
sation  into  the  ancient  weird  city. 

Their  first  experience  on  emerging  into  the  semi-dark 
ness,  which  was  only  broken  here  and  there  at  wide  in 
tervals,  by  yellow,  dimly-flickering  oil  lamps,  was  stum 
bling  into  a  group  of  scavenger  dogs  encumbering  the 
narrow  walk.  The  lazy  brutes  did  not  attempt  to  get 
out  of  the  way,  and  continued  their  apparently  unbroken 
slumber  as  if  nothing  had  occurred  to  disturb  them. 
Sleep  is  a  congenial  condition  of  the  land  and  of  the 
things  that  are  in  the  land.  It  might  be  called  the  Land 
of  Nod. 

Large  numbers  of  these  pariah-dogs,  belonging  to  no 
one,  infest  the  city;  they  also  are  found  in  packs,  at 
night,  on  the  roads  outside  the  walls,  where,  when  fam 
ished  with  hunger,  they  are  apt  to  become  dangerous 
and  attack  a  lonely  traveller,  as  they  have  somewhat  of 
the  nature  of  the  wolf  in  them. 

The  effect  upon  Miss  Warren  was  to  make  her  cling 
the  more  closely  to  Leone's  arm ;  and  a  mutual  approcJie 
ensued.  The  ludicrousness  of  their  position  in  the 
midst  of  the  inert  dogs  awoke  the  risible  faculties  of  the 
fair  American  and  her  cavalier,  and  they  ended  in  a 
hearty  laugh  at  their  predicament.  It  must  be  confessed 


8o  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

this  comical  affair  contributed  to  dissipate  some  of  the 
graver  feelings  with  which  they  might  otherwise  have 
contemplated  the  scenes  through  which  they  moved. 

They  passed  under  sepulchre-like  archways,  through 
dusky  deserted  streets,  singularly  impressive  from  their 
silence,  and  their  emptiness  of  the  dense  crowd  that  had 
thronged  them  all  day.  During  their  entire  ramble 
they  scarcely  met  more  than  two  or  three  belated 
pedestrians. 

Once  a  policeman  glanced  at  them  inquiringly ;  but, 
perceiving  they  were  respectable  foreigners,  made  no 
inquisition. 

The  policemen  of  Jerusalem,  armed  with  swords,  have 
a  general  resemblance  to  the  French  gendarme.  They 
are  a  comparatively  recent  acquisition ;  and  seem  well- 
behaved,  polite,  gentlemanly  fellows.  The  Moslems, 
in  referring  to  them  quietly  remark  with  sublime  equa 
nimity:  "We  have  got  them  for  your  benefit  (meaning 
for  the  strangers  and  foreign  residents  who  are  Chris 
tians).  We  have  no  need  of  them." 

Few  such  officials,  anywhere,  act  with  better  judgment, 
of  which  the  present  instance  may  be  taken  as  a  case 
in  point  —  the  pair  of  strollers  being  unprovided  with 
the  required  lantern,  and  therefore  subject  to  investiga 
tion,  were  allowed  to  pass  without  hindrance  or  examin 
ation.  Like  other  policemen  we  might  mention,  they 
know  whom  not  to  arrest. 

It  was  late  when  Leone  and  Miss  Warren  returned  to 
the  hotel.  But  the  porter  was  ready  and  waiting  to  open 
to  them.  Leone's  bounty  had  made  the  man  his  fast 
adherent. 

The  friendship  of  Leone  and  Miss  Warren,  who  were 
strangers  only  a  few  hours  before,  had  ripened  at  an 
extraordinary  rate ;  so  much  so,  that  the  name  of  the 
Count  Leone  Spoliate  appeared  on  most  of  the  young 
lady's  programmes  and  plans  in  connection  with  her 
sojourn  in  Jerusalem. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  81 


CHAPTER  VIII 

LIKE   many  a  heavenly  body,  woman  carries  with 
her  the  elements  of  perturbation,  by  the  very  law 
of  attraction. 

Leone  had  been  more  than  a  week  in  Jerusalem,  and 
yet  had  not  gone  near  his  uncle  Anselmo.  This  state 
of  affairs  may  well  be  charged  to  the  fascinations  of 
Miss  Warren. 

He  had  escaped  the  inquiries  and  scrutiny  of  the 
subtle  Selim,  who,  to  do  him  justice,  had  made  diligent 
search  for  him,  not  only  in  all  the  hotels  of  the  city,  but 
at  all  the  convents  and  brotherhoods  where  travellers 
were  afforded  hospitality. 

The  difficulty  in  finding  him  arose  from  the  fact  that 
the  ill-regulated  hotel  register  was  by  most  strangers  a 
much-neglected  book,  and  Leone,  in  company  with  a 
number  of  other  visitors,  had  failed  to  record  his  name, 
which,  with  his  title,  except  to  a  few  of  the  guests,  was 
quite  unknown.  The  hotel  proprietor,  a  native,  knew 
him  only  by  appearance.  Selim's  pompous  inquiries 
and  grandiloquent  descriptions  had  overshot  the  mark. 
Leone  remained  undiscovered,  and  free  to  come  and  go 
at  the  sweet  will  of  the  fair  stranger  who  had  him  in  her 
train. 

A  certain  dread  or  repulsion  as  to  meeting  his  uncle 
had  again  settled  upon  him.  He  feared  the  knowledge 
of  the  relationship  should  spread  and  reach  Miss  War 
ren's  ears.  He  would  keep  away  from  the  old  man  for 
the  present.  A  few  days'  postponement  could  matter 
but  little.  It  would  be  easy  to  find  some  excuse  or 
evasion  afterwards,  in  explaining  the  matter  to  his 
uncle.  Thus  he  argued  himself  into  an  apologetic  if 
not  a  satisfactory  estimate  of  his  conduct. 

Whatever  qualms  of  conscience  he  might  have  felt 
were  forgotten  in  the  presence  of  the  charming  young 
creature  who  was  not  satisfied  if  he  was  not  with  her. 

They  visited,  in  delighted  companionship,  the  Mosque 
of  Omar,  luxuriating  in  the  matchless  colouring  of  the 

6 


82  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Damascus  tiles  and  world-renowned  mosaics,  and  the 
rare  stained  glass  of  the  windows  which  had  been  ripen 
ing  to  that  perfect  mellowness  for  so  many  centuries. 
They  were  not  surprised  when  told  that  an  English 
nobleman  had  offered  in  vain  thirty  thousand  pounds 
for  one  of  the  windows,  for  his  private  chapel.  The 
chaste  octagonal  pile  rose  before  them  as  if  formed  of 
beryl  and  chrysoprase  and  clothed  with  supernatural 
golden  light,  the  entire  the  creation  of  the  magician's 
wand,  one  stroke  of  which  would  return  it  to  the  impal 
pable  air  out  of  which  it  was  born.  At  first  sight  they 
almost  feared  their  very  breathing  would  obliterate  it. 
But  it  was  the  huge  mass  of  rock  lying  in  majestic  re 
pose,  in  the  centre,  beneath  the  Great  Dome  that  ex 
cited  their  wonder  and  their  awe.  The  grand  simplicity 
of  it  could  not  but  affect  them,  as  it  has  affected  mil 
lions  of  worshippers  for  thousands  of  years  —  ever  since 
King  Solomon  built  his  glorious  temple  over  it  —  ever 
since  King  David  made  his  sacrifice  here,  at  the 
threshing-floor  of  Araunah  the  Jebusite  —  yea,  ever 
since  Abraham,  building  an  altar,  offered  up  here  his 
son  Isaac.  They  saw  before  them  the  very  summit  of 
Mount  Moriah — the  Holy  Mountain — its  unhewn  rock 
apex,  upon  which,  according  to  Divine  command,  tool 
had  never  been  lifted  to  pollute  it,  rising  in  all  its 
original  natural  grandeur,  shaming  in  its  primeval 
strength  the  magnificence  of  the  building  that  inclosed 
it.  Through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  the  Holy  Place,  that 
mighty  summit  had  made  itself  respected  ;  in  the  midst 
of  assaults  and  changes  it  had  remained  unchanged. 
Here  was  not  a  semblance  of  idolatrous  worship. 

"  And  the  Jews  themselves  are  shut  out,"  murmured 
Leone,  as  he  gazed  upon  the  scene.  "  Indeed,  if  per 
mitted,  they  would  not  enter,  I  am  told,  fearing  to 
commit  the  unpardonable  sin  of  putting  foot  upon  the 
Holy  of  Holies." 

"It  is  impossible,  as  one  stands  here,"  said  Miss 
Warren,  "not  to  sympathise  with  them,  and  pity  them." 

"It"  they  would  let  you  pity  them,"  returned  Leone. 
"But,  it  seems  to  me,  they  want  no  man's  pity.  That 
is  a  part  of  their  obduracy." 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  83 

He  would  have  said  further;  but,  remembering  him 
self,  he  changed  the  subject. 

Subsequently  they  visited  the  Church  of  the  Holy 
Sepulchre,  and  could  not  forbear  comparing  unfavor 
ably  the  Christian  with  the  Mohammedan  place  of  wor 
ship,  —  the  grand  simplicity  and  scrupulous  cleanliness 
of  the  latter  as  compared  with  the  former.  When  they 
had  seen  everything  worth  seeing  —  even  to  the  sword 
and  spurs  of  Godfrey  of  Bouillon,  and  the  chair  in 
which  that  British  princess  the  Empress  Helena  sat 
while  directing  the  excavations  for  the  finding  of  the 
cross  —  it  was  suggested  that  they  visit  the  tomb  cut  in 
the  rock  in  the  garden  beneath  the  knoll  of  the  Prophet 
Jeremiah,  outside  of  the  Damascus  Gate.  Latterly  the 
belief  of  many  had  strongly  inclined  to  accept  this  as 
the  true  place  of  the  crucifixion  and  tomb  of  Christ. 
The  guide  did  not  fail  to  point  out  to  them  the  strong 
points  favouring  this  as  the  locality  of  those  great 
events.  Had  it  not  been  called  Calvary —  Golgotha  — 
the  place  of  a  skull?  And,  certainly,  the  very  hill 
before  them  resembled  a  cranium.  Jewish  tradition, 
too,  perhaps  the  worthiest  of  traditions,  and  the  most 
entitled  to  credence  in  such  a  case,  identified  the  spot 
as  the  ancient  place  of  execution.  Saint  Paul,  also, 
plainly  says  the  crucifixion  took  place  "without  the 
gate."  What  gate  would  specially  occupy  his  mind  as 
"the  gate,"  except  the  Damascus  Gate?  There  are 
many  other  remarkable  correspondences  to  the  gospel 
narrative;  and  what  wonder  if  Leone  and  his  com 
panion,  coming  from  superstitious  and  meretricious 
spectacles,  far  from  edifying,  and  recalling  the  words 
of  the  Russian  bankers,  found  here,  in  these  simple 
surroundings,  the  grateful  relief  they  longed  for,  and 
with  others  were  inclined  to  accept  the  rock  tomb  as 
"the  place  where  they  laid  Him?" 

These  and  other  excursions  had  thrown  Miss  Warren 
and  Leone  much  together.  The  influences  were  favour 
able  to  drawing  out  that  which  was  best  in  each  of 
their  characters.  Friendship  —  something  more  pre 
cious  than  friendship  is  apt  to  ripen  under  such 
circumstances. 


84  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

They  had  "scaled  the  Mount  of  Olives  together,  and 
climbed  the  Russian  belfry  with  its  mighty,  sonorous 
bell  "swinging  slow  with  sullen  roar."  They  had 
passed  beyond  the  mountain  to  quiet  Bethany,  • —  that 
almost  dismantled  and  ruined  village,  sorrowing  among 
its  lingering  olive-trees,  —  and  oh,  how  heart-appeal 
ing  in  its  dejection  !  They  had  descended  the  excava 
tions  within  Jerusalem,  through  four  tiers  of  underground 
ancient  buildings,  to  the  Bethesda,  the  twin  pools 
with  their  five  porches,  nigh  unto  the  Sheep  Gate,  now 
St.  Stephen's  Gate;  and  had  made  a  pilgrimage  to 
Bethlehem  and  the  fortress-like  Church  of  the  Nativity 
—  the  oldest  Christian  basilica  in  the  world.  If 
ordinary,  everyday  experiences  have  power  to  touch 
the  soul  and  influence  the  life,  how  much  more  should 
these?  Leone  confessed  he  did  not  think  he  could 
have  been  so  moved.  But  the  son  of  Italy,  although 
not  overburdened  with  religion,  like  many  a  son  of 
other  lands,  was  full  of  emotions  and  sympathies  that 
survive  neglect  and  ill-usage,  —  that  live  after  we  think 
we  have  murdered  them.  He  had  gone  the  rounds  of 
the  ancient  city,  as  he  well  knew,  chiefly  for  the 
pleasure  of  Miss  Warren's  society:  he  had  been  the 
recipient  of  more  than  he  had  bargained  for.  The  sacred 
sights  had  mellowed  their  feelings,  and  while  drawing 
them  closer  together,  had  given  a  different  colour  to 
their  thoughts. 

The  possibilities  that  lie  hidden  in  man  —  and  in 
woman,  for  that  matter  —  there  is  no  calculating  on. 
With  the  wantonness  that  has  a  genesis  more  or  less 
remote,  and  that  stands  ready  to  come  to  the  front 
often  when  least  expected,  bides  under  the  same  roof, 
the  devotional  and  religious  sentiments  and  aspirations. 
It  is  like  the  Arab  love-song,  in  which  we  find  the 
most  sensual  and  even  abandoned  ideas  associated  with 
or  developing  spiritual  or  religious  concepts.  But  the 
soft  tones  of  the  angels'  voices  too  often  are  drowned 
in  the  carnal  chorus.  The  serpent  is  represented  as 
delighting  to  hide  in  the  grass,  or  amid  banks  of  lilies 
and  roses.  The  heart  of  man  is  described  as  deceitful 
above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  85 

There  was  a  restiveness  under  the  religious  feelings 
which    could    not    be   entirely    concealed;  but    which, 
1  perhaps,    was    less   apparent    in    Leone   than    in   Miss 
Warren.      She  had  a  quick 'and  clever   tongue,   which 
would    not  be  repressed.      Even   the   Patriarch   of   the 
Greek    Church   did   not   escape  it.     His    Blessedness, 
i  always  so  kind,  generous  and  good,  had  very  graciously 
j  received  them  when  they  called,  accompanied  by  a  high 
j  ecclesiastic.     They  were  greatly   impressed    with    the 
noble  man  —  a  prince  of  the  Church  —  and  his  interest 
ing  surroundings.     As  they  sat  in  the  great  reception- 
room,    which  was   mildly  heated    by   a   large   antique 
i  brazier  standing  in  the  centre,  the  walls  adorned  with 
i  portraits   of    most   of   the  crowned  heads  of   Europe, 
\  the  visitors  had  been  served  with  refreshments,  in  the 
Oriental    style,  —  consisting   of   a   conserve   of    rose- 
leaves,   partaken  of  with  gold  spoons,   a  tiny  glass  of 
maraschino,  and  finally  a  cup  of  black  Turkish  coffee 
i  presented  in  a  gold  filigree  holder. 

"  He  is  a  magnificent  man,"  remarked  Miss  Warren, 
on  leaving.  "  He  is  like  a  living  cathedral,  in  which 
his  profound  voice  is  the  organ."  Then  she  flippantly 
added:  "  His  nose  is  a  great  snuff-box.  But  I  like  his 
Aleppo  cat,  and  his  rose-leaf  conserve  is  delicious." 

Of  course  this  caused  a  laugh,  which  was  sufficient 
tribute. 

Some  would  have  said  —  some  did  say  —  that  the 
young  lady  had  been  inexcusably  indiscreet  in  her  con 
duct  with  Leone,  to  put  it  in  the  mildest  terms,  while 
employing  more  tolerant  censure  towards  the  man. 
But  Leone  felt  he  would  have  been  a  fool  in  the  eyes 
of  mankind  —  yes,  and  of  womankind  as  well  —  to  have 
done  other  than  he  had  done.  Why  should  he  repel  or 
rebuke  the  advances  of  one  so  fair  who  took  such  inter 
est  and  pleasure  in  him  ? 

But  for  certain  unfriendly  facts  which  now  occurred, 
what  the  immediate  outcome  of  the  affair  might  have 
been  who  can  tell  ? 

A  male  relative,  one  having  authority,  and  eyes  of 
the  keenest,  —  even  of  the  accipiter  quality,  —  being  no 
other  than  the  father  of  the  young  lady,  appeared  upon 


86  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

the  scene.  It  was  soon  announced  that  circumstances 
obliged  a  change  in  Miss  Warren's  plans.  She  was  to 
leave  Jerusalem  the  next  day.  It  was  something  of  a 
shock  and  a  heartbreak ;  but  it  was  inevitable.  Before 
taking  her  departure,  there  was  more  than  one  love- 
passage  between  the  wealthy  young  heiress  and  Leone ; 
and,  denouncing  the  interference,  she  assured  him  she 
certainly  would  return,  at  no  distant  day. 

"  Yes,  if  from  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  I 
shall  come,"  was  her  emphatic  language. 

While  the  day-dream  lasted,  they  had  been  in  a  maze 
of  pleasure,  with  the  holy  places  for  a  background.  It 
was  a  rude  awakening.  But  this  was  not  all. 

While  the  sad  yet  sweet  regrets  of  his  inamorata 
were  still  ringing  in  Leone's  ears,  as  he  stood  in  the 
open  corridor  or  loggia  of  the  hotel,  he  was  approached 
by  a  young  man,  a  native,  of  uncommon  self-possession 
and  engaging  address.  He  saluted  Leone  with  the 
greatest  respect  and  politeness,  calling  him  by  his 
name,  and  stating  he  had  been  directed  to  him,  at  the 
same  time  hoping  he  had  made  no  mistake. 

Leone,  absorbed  in  his  thoughts,  wrapped  as  in  a 
dream,  barely  aroused  himself  sufficiently  to  answer  in 
a  most  indifferent  perfunctory  manner,  hardly  know 
ing  or  caring  what  he  said.  He  mistook  the  man  for 
one  of  the  numerous  dragomans  who  had  been  offering 
their  services  to  him,  and  whose  importunities  had 
wearied  and  disgusted  him. 

In  his  abstraction  he  had  been  watching  the  swal 
lows,  in  their  imperial  purple  plumage,  as  they  went 
circling  and  flashing,  like  winged  sapphires,  in  the 
open  space  inclosed  by  the  high  walls  of  the  houses, 
above  Hezekiah's  Pool.  The  air  seemed  alive  with 
them,  as  they  came  teeming  on,  on,  and  on,  in  endless 
file,  as  if  they  were  pouring  out  of  heaven.  Around 
and  around  they  swing,  now  flitting  high,  anon  swoop 
ing  low,  skimming  the  water.  With  what  fine  impetu 
osity  of  abandoned  certainty  they  fling  themselves 
upon  the  air,  making  as  if  they  would  dash  themselves 
to  pieces  against  the  buildings !  The  wild  graceful 
careering  of  their  course  has  a  method  —  a  rhythmical 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  87 

order.  Thirty  or  more  of  them,  with  passionate  pre 
cipitation,  push  out  in  advance  of  the  main  division, 
then  gradually  restrain  their  flight  till  the  rear  guard 
comes  up  and  finally  passes  in  advance,  in  its  turn 
to  be  left  behind  at  the  next  swinging  of  the  circle ; 
while  those  which  were,  a  moment  ago,  at  the  sides, 
are  now  in  the  centre  of  the  winged  troop.  No  wonder 
we  are  never  tired  watching  them  !  No  wonder  we  are 
cheered  by  their  airy  gladness  ! 

"It  is  marvellously  beautiful,"  Leone  thought  and 
said,  as  he  relapsed  into  his  former  reverie. 

A  peculiar  movement  on  the  part  of  the  young  man 
beside  him  recalled  his  attention. 

"What!"  exclaimed  Leone.  "Are  you  still  here? 
I  supposed  you  had  left  some  time  ago. " 

"Oh  no,  Signor!  I  have  not  left.  I  am  awaiting 
your  pleasure. " 

"  Awaiting  my  pleasure  !  Then  I  fear  you  will  have 
a  long  time  to  wait;  for  I  have  no  pleasure.  How 
could  I  have  any,  in  such  a  miserable,  God-forsaken, 
joyless  old  city  as  this  is?  —  Awaiting  my  pleasure!" 
repeated  Leone.  "  Why,  that  is  what  I  am  doing. 
We  seem  to  be  both  in  the  same  business,  and,  to  all 
appearance,  a  hopeless  one  it  is." 

A  pleased  and  knowing  twinkle  flickered  in  the  dark 
eyes  of  the  young  native,  in  sympathy  with  a  smile  of 
like  nature  that  parted  his  full  red  lips.  He  flattered 
himself  he  understood  the  fine  gentleman  whom  he  had 
approached,  and  before  whom  he  stood. 

"There  is  much  more  pleasure  here,  in  spite  of 
appearances,  than  the  Signor  thinks.  If  he  would  only 
trust  me,  I  should  soon  show  him,"  he  ventured  to 
reply. 

"Really,  while  I  haven't  the  least  doubt  of  your 
capabilities  in  that  or  any  other  direction,  I  do  not 
require  your  services,"  returned  Leone.  "I  already 
have  a  dragoman,  and  he  is  too  much  for  me  —  one 
more  than  I  want." 

This  was  evidently  a  most  unexpected  reply,  for  the 
young  native  seemed  quite  taken  aback  and  had  nothing 
to  say. 


88  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

As  for  Leone,  he  appeared  to  imagine  he  had  dis 
missed  the  subject  and  the  man,  and  was  quick  lapsing 
back  into  his  original  flight  of  thought,  aided  by  the 
flight  of  the  swallows,  when  something  in  the  appear 
ance  of  the  Syrian  attracted  and  recalled  his  attention. 

"You  are  a  good-looking  fellow,"  Leone  felt  com 
pelled  to  say,  on  a  closer  inspection.  "  I  wish  I  had 
seen  — 

He  was  going  to  say  —  "I  wish  I  had  seen  you  before 
engaging  my  present  dragoman,"  but  he  checked  him 
self  in  time. 

The  Oriental,  in  cold  weather,  contracts  and  shrinks 
into  himself.  He  drops  his  gay  trappings,  and  wraps 
his  lithe  body  in  dun-coloured  garments.  It  is  only  in 
warm  weather  that  you  see  him  at  his  best.  It  is 
astonishing  how  the  sunshine  expands  him,  —  the 
tropical  flower.  Not  but  that  in  the  cold  season  he 
generally  has  a  bit  of  bright  or  rich  colour  about  him 
somewhere,  like  the  fulvous  streak  at  the  horizon  in  a 
grey  winter  sunset.  If  his  tarboosh,  with  its  scarlet 
or  crimson  flush,  does  not  always  make  him  a  "red 
head,"  his  turban  or  his  sash  has  a  touch  of  yellow  or 
gold  in  it.  Of  course  all  Turkish  soldiers  and  officers, 
and  officials  of  every  degree  and  rank,  from  the  Sultan 
down,  wear  the  fez  from  morning  till  night,  indoors 
and  outdoors,  and  are  veritable  "red-heads,"  —a  name 
which,  while  specially  appropriate  as  applied  to  the 
Turkish  officials,  military  and  civilian,  may  properly 
be  extended  to  include  the  majority  of  the  nation. 

But  if  the  ordinary  Oriental  is  a  refreshing  piece 
of  form  and  colour,  the  young  Syrian  upon  whom 
Leone's  eyes  rested  was  a  full-blown  flower  of  superla 
tive  elegance,  rejoicing  in  the  height  of  its  season,  and 
spreading  its  petals  alluringly  in  the  genial  sunshine. 
One  might  say,  in  the  words  of  the  well-worn  phrase, 
he  had  been  gotten  up  regardless  of  expense ;  and,  like 
the  king's  daughter  of  old,  he  was  all-glorious  within 
and  without.  The  raiment  of  needlework  and  of  wrought 
gold  was  not  wanting,  but  was  represented  in  his  gold- 
embroidered  jacket.  Nor  was  he  deficient  in  the  most 
airy  graces  and  manners. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  89 

The  conceit  or  vanity  of  the  Oriental  is  something 
immeasurable  and  inexpressible,  not  to  say  unimagi 
nable,  to  the  Western  mind.  It  is  his  predominant 
characteristic.  Admiration' is  the  breath  of  his  nos 
trils;  and  the  wounding  of  his  self-esteem  the  most 
atrocious  of  offences,  not  to  be  forgiven.  Place  him 
in  the  least  exalted  position  of  honour  or  trust,  and  oh, 
how  he  will  strut,  and  assume  the  most  intolerable 
airs  of  importance !  It  seems  as  if  every  hair  on  his 
body  put  on  an  extra  curl  of  pride;  the  toss  of  the 
head,  the  pose  of  his  figure,  and  every  motion  of  his 
limbs  are  studied  and  practised  for  their  effect  on  the 
observant  crowd.  It  is  impossible  not  to  notice  this. 
It  is  thrust  upon  you,  and  you  are  compelled  to  see  it. 
In  the  city  Syrians  it  is  an  unmitigated  unmistakable 
trait.  They  are  forever  thinking  of  their  looks,  their 
dress  and  personal  appearance,  and  the  impression  they 
make.  When  they  "dress  up,"  as  they  love  to  do, 

!:  they  will  be  sure  to  make  some  excuse  to  come  and 
show  themselves.  They  avert  their  eyes  with  what 

i  they  consider  a  "killing"  expression,  when  they 
think  they  are  observed.  There  is  no  exaggerating  the 
amount  of  flattery  they  are  capable  of  accepting.  You 
can  daub  it  on  with  a  whitewash  brush  —  you  can 

i  plaster  it  on  with  a  shovel.  And  yet  there  is  a  fasci 
nation  about  them  that  is  unaccountable,  unless  it 
pertains  to  the  traits  described,  or  is  related  to  a 
species  of  sorcery.  It  recalls  what  Lord  Byron  said  of 
the  Greeks:  "I  know  you  are  rascals;  yet  I  can't  help 
loving  you." 

Of  all  this  there  was  a  living  exponent  standing  at 
the  elbow  of  the  preoccupied  Italian  count. 

Leone's  complimentary  expression,  dropped  as  an 
aside,  as  one  throws  a  crust  to  a  dog,  fell  on  ears  that 
received  it  with  no  ordinary  gratification.  It  was  like 
an  angelic  benediction.  The  young  dragoman  beamed 
all  over,  from  head  to  foot,  in  recognition  of  it,  and 
thought  Leone,  to  whom  his  heart  warmed  instanter, 
one  of  the  most  agreeable,  handsome  and  charming  men 
he  had  ever  met.  He  felt  sure  that,  even  had  he  not 
known,  he  could  have  told  he  was  of  noble  lineage. 


90  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

From  the  first,  Leone  had  paid  but  indifferent  atten 
tion  to  what  the  Syrian  said,  having  taken  for  granted 
that  the  man  was  importuning  him  for  employment 
which  he  could  not  give  him,  and  not  being  able  to 
follow  very  closely  his  broken  English.  Again  he 
turned  to  watch  the  swallows,  and  was  fast  lapsing  into 
his  former  train  of  thought  and  absent-mindedness, 
when  in  the  monotonous  murmur  of  the  foreign  English 
he  caught  the  mention  of  his  uncle's  name. 

"What  is  that  you  say? "  he  asked,  suddenly  seizing 
the  man  by  the  shoulder. 

"Excuse  me,  Signor;  I  was  only  saying  what  I  have 
already  told  you  — •  that  Signor  Anselmo  Jacobini  was 
most  anxious  to  see  you.  I  have  come  many  times, 
these  many  days,  seeking  to  find  you,  but  failed.  And 
now  I  am  informed  you  have  been  here  all  the  time.  I 
dare  not  return  to  Signor  Jacobini  without  you.  He 
would  dismiss  me  on  the  spot,  should  I  tell  him  you 
were  here  and  I  did  not  bring  you  to  him." 

"And  who  are  you?  And  by  what  name  may  I  call 
you? " 

"  My  name  is  Selim;  lam  Signor  Jacobini's  drago 
man,  at  your  lordship's  disposition." 

"Now,  Selim,  no  doubt  you  are  a  man  to  be 
trusted." 

"That 's  what  I  think.  If  you  only  try  me  you  will 
think  so  too." 

"Very  good.  Listen  to  me.  If  Signor  Jacobini 
should  deal  with  you,  as  you  say,  for  so  trifling  an 
offence,  what  do  you  suppose  he  would  do  to  you,  did 
he  learn  you  had  failed  to  convey  to  me  his  message, 
all  this  time,  while  I  have  been  here  under  your  very 
nose  ? " 

"It  would  be  bad  for  me,"  acknowledged  Selim, 
dejectedly. 

"  Suppose  we  keep  silence  upon  the  subject.  Under 
certain  circumstances,  silence  is  a  great  virtue,  as  I 
imagine  you  very  well  know.  Let  us  say  nothing 
about  it." 

Selim  stepped  forward,  and,  bending  low,  seized 
Leone's  hand,  imprinting  a  kiss  upon  it,  while  he 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  9 1 

uttered  his  acknowledgments  and  thanks,  assuring 
him  he  would  do  anything  for  him. 

"And  will  you  permit  me  to  conduct  you  to  the 
Signor  Jacobini?"  Selim  inquired.  "He  has  made 
great  preparation  for  your  Excellency.  He  has  spared 
no  expense  in  furnishing  and  garnishing  your  rooms. 
They  are  like  a  palace." 

Leone  smiled  at  the  description  and  the  high 
address. 

"Yes,"  he  replied;  "I  will  go  with  you." 

The  words,  which  he  had  begun  to  fear  he  should 
never  hear,  were  a  great  relief  to  Selim. 

"  Thank  God  !  "  he  said  audibly. 

He  felt  as  if  he  were  carrying  off  a  great  prize  which 
he  had  richly  earned. 

As  they  made  their  way  through  the  narrow  streets 
to  Jacobini's  house,  Selim,  lowering  his  voice  to  a 
confidential  tone,  said  to  Leone,  "  If  you  ask  Signor 
Jacobini,  he  will  give  me  to  you.  He  will  let  you 
have  me  for  your  body-servant." 


CHAPTER   IX 

IT  cannot  be  denied  that  there  was  more  than  a 
shadow  of  mistrust  in  the  heart  of  Leone  as,  ushered 
in  by  the  effusive  Selim,  he  stood  in  the  presence  of 
his  uncle,  Anselmo  Jacobini.  Doubtless  it  was  a  try 
ing  moment  for  uncle  as  well  as  for  nephew.  The 
retired  Hebrew  banker  had  been  schooling  himself  not 
to  expect  too  much  in  the  way  of  affectionate  feeling 
or  kindly  demonstration  from  his  high-toned  nephew; 
while  Leone  had  been  nerving  himself  to  conceal  and 
repress  any  repulsion  he  might  have  harboured  toward 
his  uncle  on  account  of  that  long-cherished,  bigoted 
prejudice  the  young  man  would  not  measure  or  define, 
because  he  hated  to  think  of  it. 

Leone,  pausing  for  a  moment  in  the  doorway,  saw 
before  him,  in  the  rich  but  dim  setting  of  the  room,  an 


92  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

aged  man  of  dignified  presence,  who,  for  aught  he 
knew,  so  far  as  appearances  went,  might  have  been  one 
of  the  ancient  priests,  kings,  or  prophets  of  Israel. 
There  was  a  singular  nobility  or  even  grandeur  in  the 
manner  and  bearing  of  Jacobin i,  that  declared  in  no 
false  or  feeble  accents  the  inner  nature  of  the  man. 

Selim  announced  with  a  flourish,  as  he  had  been 
instructed:  "The  Count  Leone  Spoliate." 

The  firm,  light  step  had  but  half-way  crossed  the 
floor  when  it  was  met  by  the  still  energetic  tread  of 
the  proud  old  man,  whom  Leone  had  shrunk  from 
meeting. 

"You  are  welcome  —  welcome  indeed." 

"Thank  you,  thank  you,  Uncle  Anselmo.  I  hope 
I  find  you  well,"  was  Leone's  response,  delivered  with 
prepossessing  manner  and  warm  pressure  of  the  hand. 

The  look  of  qualified  hope  and  subdued  expectancy 
in  the  face  of  Jacobini  was  rapidly  melting  away  into 
a  very  different  expression.  He  saw  before  him  the 
last  scion  of  his  house,  —  the  son  of  his  beloved  sister. 
His  pride  was  touched  as  he  beheld  the  easy  carriage, 
the  cultured  bearing,  the  high-bred  air  of  the  young 
patrician, — all  evident,  but  subordinated  to  a  courte 
ous,  kind  regard  that  was  delightful. 

"  Nothing  could  be  better.     He  is  perfect." 

This  was  what  the  uncle  thought,  while  he  loved 
him,  on  the  instant. 

A  feeling  of  awe  as  well  as  respect  tinctured  Leone's 
greeting.  His  prejudices  were  almost  forgotten.  Surely 
there  was  nothing  mean  or  degraded  here.  The  man 
whom  he  called  uncle  was  of  no  common  clay.  He 
might  well  have  been  some  great  ruler,  — a  man  having 
authority. 

The  full  satisfaction  and  joy  of  Jacobini  in  finding 
Leone  all  that  was  so  admirable  in  person  and  manner 
were  of  no  ordinary  type,  —  to  be  indulged  in  without 
discrimination.  They  were  born  of  the  feelings  he 
had  kept  in  sacred  reserve  ever  since  the  death  of  his 
wife  and  children. 

That  grand  old  face  was  not  without  the  sculpture 
that  can  be  carved  only  by  the  hand  of  grief.  His 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  93 

children  had  died  before  reaching  the  ages  of  men  and 
women,  and  his  wife  had  not  long  survived  them; 
while,  in  spite  of  all  his,  efforts  to  save  him,  his  only 
brother,  a  young  unmarried  man  of  the  highest  worth 
and  talent,  accused  unjustly,  and  cruelly  persecuted, 
had  perished  in  a  Russian  prison.  His  sister,  the 
beautiful  Rachele,  had  died,  a  young  mother,  as  we 
know,  leaving  an  only  child,  —  the  man  who  now  stood 
before  him,  — "so  engaging,  so  polished  and  refined, 
and  full  of  all  that  is  desirable  to  the  eye,"  as  the 
bereaved  father  in  Israel  told  himself. 

Thus  it  had  come  to  pass  that  Leone  was  not  only 
the  last  representative  of  all  the  generations  of  the 
Spollato  family,  but  the  sole  heir  of  the  Jacobini 
blood.  In  him  both  the  currents  met  and  closed.  In 
him  centred  the  hopes  for  their  perpetuation.  This 
was  the  obligation  that  rested  upon  him.  It  seemed 
as  if  all  the  generations  of  the  past,  on-  both  sides, 
cried  to  him,  beseechingly,  adjuringly,  not  to  let  their 
remembrance  perish  off  the  face  of  the  earth,  but  to 
leave  posterity  —  heirs  born  of  his  own  body  —  to  in 
corporate  them  in  hereditary  succession,  so  that  it 
might  be  said  of  them  that  "they  should  not  want  a 
man  to  stand  before  the  Lord  forever." 

This  was  largely  connected  with  the  feeling  that  had 
impelled  Jacobini  to  call  Leone  to  him,  and  undoubt 
edly  added  materially  to  the  old  man's  pleasure  in 
contemplating  the  unimpeachable  manly  character  of 
his  nephew's  personality. 

When  the  first  words  of  welcome  and  joy  were  over, 
Jacobini  held  Leone  opposite  to  him,  while  his  eyes 
searched  every  feature  of  the  young  man's  face  with  a 
gaze  that  was  almost  fondling.  He  was  seeking  some 
family  likeness,  some  hint  of  the  past,  in  the  hand 
some  lineaments. 

"  You  are  the  son  of  my  beloved  sister  —  my 
Rachele,"  he  said.  "You  are  as  dear  to  me  as  if  you 
were  my  own  offspring.  What  would  I  not  do  for 
you  ? " 

"  My  uncle  —  my  father,  you  are  very  good  to  me.  I 
am  not  worthy  of  your  kindness,"  stammered  Leone. 


94  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

He  remembered  his  bitter  prejudice,  and  the  intensity 
of  his  aversion  to  the  mala  sangre  of  the  house  of 
Judah  displayed  on  the  occasion  of  that  memorable 
interview  with  his  uncle  Giovanni,  in  their  ancestral 
home  in  Naples.  How  he  hated  himself  —  his  own 
blood  —  because  of  the  contaminating  stain  !  He  re 
called  the  horror  he  felt,  so  lately,  lest  Miss  Warren 
and  others  should  learn  of  his  connection  with  Anselmo 
Jacobini.  Many  another  past  incident  arose  to  rebuke 
and  accuse  him.  No  wonder  his  conscience  smote  him. 
No  wonder  that  he  felt  ashamed.  He  was  here  in  spite 
of  himself.  He  was  led  captive.  This  was  the  end. 
The  old  man's  generosity  and  love  had  conquered  him. 

Each  day  the  net  that  held  him  was  more  closely 
and  more  inextricably  wound  about  him.  He  himself 
could  not  explain  it.  His  uncle  would  not  suffer  him 
to  be  contradicted  or  thwarted.  Leone's  most  extrava 
gant  wishes  were  anticipated.  Money  was  lavished 
upon  him.  Everything  possible  was  done  to  make 
him  contented,  and  reconciled  to  the  life,  —  a  life  so 
different  from  that  he  had  been  accustomed  to  in 
Naples,  that  he  had  wondered  he  could  endure  it.  At 
length  his  uncle  obtained  from  him  the  promise  that 
he  would  remain  with  him  in  Jerusalem. 

The  delight  Jacobini  took  in  the  young  man  was 
extraordinary.  It  was  evident  he  not  only  loved  him, 
but  was  proud  of  him.  He  was  not  happy  when  he  was 
out  of  his  presence.  He  insisted  upon  Leone's  being 
addressed  by  his  title  and  honoured  beyond  himself,  in 
which  he  set  the  example. 

Gradually  he  began  interesting  Leone  in  matters 
pertaining  to  the  Jacobini  family  and  its  history. 
There  was  an  old  coffer,  resembling  a  muniment  chest, 
which  played  an  important  part  on  such  occasions.  It 
was  made  of  some  unknown  dark  wood,  curiously  and 
elaborately  carved,  and  was  provided  with  iron  bands 
and  hasps.  The  contents  consisted  chiefly  of  parch 
ments  and  scrolls,  some  of  which  were  evidently  of 
great  antiquity.  A  few  were  made  of  antelope  skins, 
inclosed  in  silver  cases.  They  were  in  various  stages 
of  discolouration  and  decay.  Many  of  them  —  odd 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  95 

scraps  of  leather  —  were  crumbling  to  pieces,  and  in 
decipherable,  others  were  partly  so;  and  only  a  few  of 
the  more  modern  documents  could  be  read  with  satis 
faction.  Jacobini  informed  his  nephew  that  they  were 
pedigrees,  legal  documents,  and  family  histories  and 
notes  covering  a  long  period  of  time.  The  oldest  docu 
ments,  he  declared,  were  in  the  ancient  character  of 
the  Israelites,  which  they  had  lost  when  carried  into 
captivity  —  the  same  in  which  God  had  written  the  first 
tables  of  stone.  He  declared  there  was  undoubted 
proof  that  the  office  of  Treasurer  to  the  royal  house  of 
David,  from  which  he  claimed  descent,  had  been 
hereditary  in  his  family,  through  all  the  varied  history 
of  its  kings ;  and  certain  relics  which  he  showed  Leone 
were,  to  some  extent,  corroborative  of  the  pretension. 

Jacobini  never  argued  about  any  of  these  points,  as 
Leone  soon  learned ;  but  expected  them  to  be  received 
implicitly,  as  he  had  received  them.  To  him  they 
were  indisputable,  accepted  facts.  Many  of  the  tradi 
tions  and  statements  were  only  verbal,  handed  down 
from  father  to  son ;  but  they  were  accorded  by  Jacobini 
a  reverence  beyond  that  he  gave  to  the  parchments. 

For  some  time  he  had  been  quietly  making  in  Jeru 
salem  investigations  in  connection  with  his  family  and 
the  documents.  He  had  satisfied  himself  regarding 
the  identification  of  certain  localities  on  Mount  Zion, 
and  had  gone  so  far  as,  through  the  use  of  bribery  or 
backsheesh,  to  carry  on  some  secret  excavation  there. 
The  results,  he  considered,  were  most  encouraging; 
and  he  only  regretted  that  his  age  prevented  his  giving 
more  of  his  personal  supervision  to  the  work. 

"I  am  too  old  to  do  much  more,"  he  said.  "But 
you,  Leone,  — •  you  —  " 

It  was  not  altogether  congenial  work  for  Leone;  but 
what  could  he  say  or  do  ? 

"Yes,  uncle,  yes,  "he  answered,  manfully  acquiescing. 

"  I  would  not  have  you  expose  yourself  to  the  least 
danger,"  he  said,  apologetically.  "But  without  doing 
that,  there  will  be  opportunity  to  direct  and  watch  the 
work.  And  I,  for  my  part,  shall  only  be  too  glad  to 
do  what  I  can." 


96  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

The  principal  place  of  their  research  was  in  a  part 
of  an  old  and  little-used  garden,  which  Jacobini  believed 
to  be  the  garden  of  King  Herod,  and  within  which 
must  have  stood  the  royal  palace.  The  point  where 
they  had  discovered  certain  marks  and  indications 
identifying  the  locality  with  the  descriptions  in  the 
ancient  parchments  and  rolls,  was  in  and  below  the 
foundations  of  the  westerly  wall  of  the  city,  which 
proved  to  Be  of  the  most  ancient  work.  The  rock 
beneath  gave  abundant  evidence  of  the  unmistakable 
old  chisel-marks,  and  further  down,  was  honeycombed 
with  chambers. 

Though  the  custodian  of  the  garden  and  others  had 
been  "arranged  with,"  —  to  employ  no  more  offensive 
term,  —  it  was  considered  necessary  to  use  great  secrecy, 
and  the  work  at  the  surface  was  carried  on  at  night, 
with  the  aid  of  the  dark  lantern. 

Among  the  more  interesting  discoveries  was  an 
article  carved  from  the  black  Dead  Sea  stone,  which 
Jacobini,  after  a  close  examination,  pronounced  to  be 
the  signet  of  King  David.  Slightly  in  excess  of  four 
inches  in  height,  it  was  rudely  shaped  in  the  form  of 
a  man,  showing  more  than  three-quarters  in  length  of 
the  figure,  and  terminating  below  in  a  series  of  spirals ; 
but  instead  of  arms  were  what  resembled  folded 
wings,  pressed  closely,  one  on  each  side. 
This  image  was  simply  the  handle.  Upon 
the  smooth  oval  base  of  the  image  was  the 
seal.  This  held  the  inscription  in  ancient 
Hebrew :  "  The  servant  of  Jehovah,  David 
the  King."  It  contained,  therefore,  the 
"  Ineffable  Name. "  The  characters,  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  variants,  were  almost  identical 
with  those  of  the  oldest  of  the  parchments  of  the  iron- 
bound  coffer,  and  for  which  Jacobini  claimed  such 
extraordinary  antiquity.  It  was  the  Hebrew  before 
the  Babylonian  Captivity. 

"  I  now  understand  the  references  to  the  seal  or 
signet  in  some  of  the  documents,"  said  Jacobini.  "It 
is  evident  the  royal  Treasurer  was  also  Keeper  of  the 
Seal.  To  him  was  the  care  of  it  intrusted;  and  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  97 

affixing  it  to  decrees  and  other  important  papers,  by 
direction  of  the  king,  was  his  prerogative." 

"But  how  is  it  possible  that  the  seal  should  have 
been  made  in  the  form  of  a  man?"  inquired  Leone, 
doubtingly.  "Would  it  not  be  an  infringement  of  the 
commandment  against  graven  images?" 

This  was  a  poser  to  Jacobini. 

The  question  was  submitted  to  some  learned  Jews : 
The  difficulty,  it  seemed,  was  not  insurmountable. 
The  force  of  the  prohibition,  it  was  explained,  resided 
in  "the  making  to  thyself,"  that  is,  in  setting  up  for 
worship  any  graven  image,  and  though  afterwards  given 
a  more  sweeping  extension,  so  as  to  exclude  all  carved 
images  for  any  purpose  whatsoever,  certain  uses,  such 
as  the  one  in  question,  would  not  conflict  with  the 
divine  command.  Moreover,  in  any  case,  the  opinion 
declared,  the  omission  of  a  single  part  of  the  thing 
represented  would  satisfy  the  requirements,  removing 
all  objection.  Thus  it  was  pointed  out  the  figure 
forming  the  handle  of  the  seal  was  not  full  length, 
being  without  the  lower  extremities;  besides,  the  arms 
\vere  wanting.  Therefore  it  did  not  offend  against  the 
law.  The  cherubim  on  the  Mercy  Seat  were  cited 
in  corroboration. 

So  the  question  was  settled,  to  Jacobini's  satisfaction. 

"It  is  a  clear  case" — was  Leone's  sarcastic  com 
ment,  completing  the  sentence sotto  voce — "of  Hebraic 
evasion. " 

Nothing  aroused  Jacobini's  disgust  as  did  any  allu 
sion  to  the  fact  that  Moslem  descendants  of  King 
Solomon,  living  upon  the  Mount,  held  a  firman  from 
the  Sultan  confirming  their  right  and  title,  through 
that  descent,  to  the  land  and  buildings  on  Mount  Zion 
connected  with  the  tomb  of  David  and  the  kings  of 
Judah.  He  would  not  listen  to  it  with  the  least 
patience;  and  once  when,  on  the  Mount,  and  near  the 
ancient  sepulchre,  certain  of  those  descendants  were 
pointed  out  to  him,  he  would  not  look  at  them,  but 
turned  away  his  face;  though  nothing  is  more  clearly 
established  than  that  both  David  and  Solomon  were 
much-married  men. 


98  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Yet,  with  all  his  pride  in  this  direction,  he  admitted 
in  private  to  Leone  that  he  attributed  some  of  the  evils 
that  had  befallen  him  to  his  descent  from  King  David. 

"The  house  of  David,  with  few  exceptions,  was,  like 
that  of  the  Stuarts  of  Scotland,  a  faithless  and  unfor 
tunate  house,"  he  said.  "It  began  with  an  atrocious 
and  bloody  crime,  for  which,  when  convicted  of  it,  the 
author  offered  but  scanty  and  fruitless  repentance. 
What  could  be  expected  as  the  outcome  but  a  licen 
tious,  pleasure-worshipping  Solomon,  who,  wise  as  he 
was,  lapsed  into  idolatrous  infidelity,  leaving  a  son  to 
succeed  him,  who  proved  to  be  a  weak-brained,  over 
bearing  despot,  and  lost  the  ten  tribes  through  his 
folly  ?  And  so  on  —  with,  here  and  there,  a  gleam  of 
hope,  generally  to  be  disappointed  —  to  the  end  of 
the  pedigree.  There  seems  to  be  a  fatality  about  the 
dynasty,  and  everything  connected  with  it. " 

Leone  would  smile  to  himself  complacently  at  these 
admissions,  while  he  confessed  he  quite  agreed  with 
his  uncle's  opinion  on  the  subject. 

Though  he  sometimes  declared  it  was  next  to  martyr 
dom,  on  the  whole,  Leone  bore  his  transplanting  to 
Jerusalem  much  better  than  could  have  been  expected. 
Having  but  few  recreations,  he  amused  himself  with 
collecting  and  studying  the  ancient  coins  and  other 
antiquities  of  the  country,  and  soon  had  a  respectable 
museum.  In  this  and  in  less  praiseworthy  pleasures 
he  was  aided  by  Selim,  who  from  the  first  had  closely 
attached  himself  to  him,  insinuating  himself  into  his 
good  graces,  bound  to  make  himself  indispensable  to 
him.  Through  him  Leone  was  also  acquiring  a  certain 
knowledge  of  the  Arabic,  which  he  flattered  himself 
would  soon  be  sufficient  for  conversational  purposes. 

Seeing  the  important  role  filled  by  Selim  in  easing 
and  making  more  bearable  Leone's  banishment  in  the 
ancient  city,  Jacobini  congratulated  himself  that  he 
had  not  given  way  to  the  persuasions  of  the  rabbis, 
but  had  retained  the  Moslem. 

"  I  felt  sure  Leone  would  like  him  better  than  the 
man  they  recommended,"  he  said.  "The  two  young 
men  together — it  is  but  natural." 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  99 

Yet  he  loved  to  ridicule  Selim's  weak  traits;  and 
seldom  lost  an  opportunity  of  pointing  them  out  to 
Leone. 

"Look  at  that  Oriental  —  that  Syrian,"  he  would 
say.  "  What  an  air  and  carriage  he  has !  The  jerky 
swing  of  the  silk  tassel  of  that  crimson  tarboosh  of  his 
measures  for  you  his  conceit.  See  its  haughty  whisk 
at  each  step  he  takes,  as  though  it  had  a  conscious  life, 
in  sympathy  with  its  owner." 

Leone  laughed. 

"Nothing  reaches  the  conceit  of  those  fellows,"  he 
said,  "  not  even  the  proverbial  jackass.  To  me  it  is  a 
great  source  of  amusement.  But  as  to  Selim,  he  is  so 
devoted  to  me  he  makes  me  like  him." 

"  Did  you  notice  what  a  handsome  dog  he  is  ?  " 

"Ah!   did  I  not?" 

"He  is  full  of  the  devil,"  added  Jacobini,  laughing. 
"  He  is  equal  to  anything.  But  I  am  glad  you  like 
him." 

Jacobini  had  a  humorous  side  to  which  he  but  rarely 
gave  way  until  rinding  it  amused  Leone,  when  he 
oftener  indulged  in  it.  In  this  mood  he  did  not 
hesitate  to  slash  into  Jewish  history  and  effete  cus 
toms,  for  his  nephew's  benefit;  though  no  man  was 
more  reverent  of  the  truly  sacred  things  than  was 
Jacobini. 

"  Let  me  tell  you  my  Egyptian  experience,  Leone, 
and  you  will  see  how  conscientious  I  am,"  was  his 
preface  to  the  following :  "  When  I  came  through  Egypt, 
and  remembered  how  my  people  had  defrauded  the 
Egyptians  at  the  Exodus,  borrowing  from  them  jewels 
of  silver,  and  jewels  of  gold,  and  raiment,  which  they 
never  intended  to  return,  so  that  '  they  spoiled  the 
Egyptians  '  -  -  I  felt  I  could  afford  to  be  generous  in  the 
distribution  of  an  extra  large  backsheesh  there.  It  was 
a  sort  of  retribution  or  liquidation  on  my  part,  so  far 
as  I  was  concerned  in  that  ancient  fraudulent  trans 
action.  Did  you  ever  know  a  man  go  farther  back  to 
discharge  a  debt?  " 


ioo  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


CHAPTER    X 

LEONE  had  been  faithful  in  carrying  out,  so  far  as 
he  conveniently  could,  his  uncle's  wishes  in 
regard  to  the  researches  which  Jacobini  was  so  much 
interested  in.  But  he  could  not  very  well  conceal  the 
fact  that  it  was  irksome  business  to  him.  So  enthu 
siastic  was  his  uncle,  that  three  or  four  times  he  had 
exerted  himself  to  accompany  Leone  to  the  place, 
taking  due  precautions  to  prevent  discovery. 

In  going,  they  had  to  pass  the  den -like  shops  sunk 
in  the  wall  of  the  garden  of  the  Armenian  convent. 
In  those  dark  recesses  the  makers  of  filigree  carried  on 
the  manufacture  of  their  delicate  work;  and  near  by 
were  the  tattooers,  who  seemed  to  have  quite  as  large  a 
patronage.  Above,  over  the  high  wall  of  the  garden, 
stretched  far  across  the  roadway  the  plumy  branches 
of  a  row  of  fine  old  pines,  whispering  and  sighing  with 
that  gentle  susurration  that  is  an  embodied  memory 
—  the  likest  sound  in  Nature  to  the  far-off  murmuring 
of  the  sea.  Beyond  an  angle,  in  a  recess,  was  a  solid 
gate,  entering  by  which,  they  found  themselves  in  a 
long  passage  which  brought  them  to  another  gate  that 
opened  into  the  garden. 

Being  provided  with  keys,  they  had  no  difficulty  in 
gaining  access  to  the  grounds.  The  trouble  lay  in  the 
danger  of  being  detected.  That  they  should  be  able 
to  carry  on  such  work  without  discovery  seems  incredi 
ble.  Nor  could  it  be  done  for  any  great  length  of 
time.  It  was  only  the  connivance  of  the  gardener 
made  it  at  all  possible. 

To  Jacobini  it  was  enchanted  land.  As  he  walked 
under  the  trees  he  thought  of  David,  Solomon  and 
Hezekiah,  the  cruel  Herod  and  the  beautiful  Mariamne, 
as  having  trod  the  same  ground.  The  Christian 
believer  would  also  have  remembered  that  it  was  here, 
and  to  the  palace  of  the  High  Priest,  not  far  from 
here,  that  Christ  was  dragged  from  the  Judgment 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  101 

Hall    of    Pilate   on   that   night   of    agony   and    terror 
preceding  the  Crucifixion. 

The  hope  of  making  some  more  important  discovery 
stimulated  Jacobini ;  and  he  would  have  risked  much 
with  such  a  prize  in  view. 

But  suddenly  he  was  warned  that  he  must  desist. 

"It  is  heart-breaking,"  he  said;  "just  as  we  are  on 
the  eve,  perhaps,  of  some  great  revelation.  But  we 
have  sufficiently  determined  the  main  point.  I  am 
convinced  of  the  correspondence  of  the  various  de 
scriptions  in  the  parchments,  and  the  identity  of  the 
place." 

He  was  not  satisfied  till  he  had  liberally  remunerated 
every  one  connected  with  the  transaction.  But  the 
work  was  closed. 

The  exertions  he  had  made  and  the  disappointment 
told  on  his  health.  He  was  laid  up  for  several  days, 
and  his  physician  advised  him  he  must  be  more  care 
ful  in  future,  and  not  expose  himself  unnecessarily. 
Though  he  recovered,  it  was  but  slowly,  and  his 
nervous  system  seemed  impaired.  In  truth,  old  age 
was  leaving  its  final  marks  upon  him,  and  he  felt  this 
and  acknowledged  it. 

"  I  am  like  the  old  trees  in  the  forest  that  the  wood 
man  marks  to  be  cut  down,''  he  said.  "If  I  live  much 
longer,  I  shall  be  cumbering  the  ground." 

It  was  while  his  uncle  was  confined  to  his  room  and 
to  bed  that  Leone  discovered,  to  some  extent,  the 
benevolences  in  which  the  sick  man  took  so  much 
pleasure.  The  pensioners  who  depended  on  his  bounty 
were  of  all  sorts  and  degrees  of  misery  and  wretched 
ness.  The  blind,  so  numerous  in  Jerusalem,  where 
ophthalmia  rages  only  less  fiercely  than  in  Egypt, 
were  special  objects  of  his  care. 

"There  can  be  no  mistake  in  such  a  case,"  he  would 
say.  "  The  poor  blind  man  needs  no  voice  to  beg  for 
alms  or  pity;  his  sightless  orbs  speak  louder  than 
words.  His  silence  is  the  greatest  eloquence." 

There  were  many  poor  Jews  to  whom  he  gave  privately, 
to  save  their  pride.  Whatever  a  Jew  may  be  else 
where,  however  despised,  hated,  degraded,  impover- 


IO2  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

ished,  in  Jerusalem  he  is  a  king,  at  least  in  his  own 
eyes. 

Nor  did  he  restrict  his  benevolence  to  any  narrowing 
lines  of  race  or  religion.  The  Turk  and  Moslem  fre 
quently  had  reason  to  praise  and  bless  his  generosity. 

Once,  when  speaking  of  their  politeness  and  cour 
tesy,  a  friend  had  interrupted  him,  remarking,  - 

"  I  wonder  at  your  sympathy  for  the  Moslem  and  the 
Turk,  —  the  lithe,  brawny  Turk,  with  his  stealthy 
tread  and  sensual  soul ;  in  the  form  of  a  man,  indeed, 
but  with  a  beast  inside  of  him." 

"After  all,  with  such  a  government  and  with  his 
institutions,  the  Turk  is  not  so  much  to  blame," 
Jacobini  replied.  "Poor  fellow,  is  he  not  rather  to  be 
commiserated  ? " 

Then,  always  ready  to  speak  good  and  not  evil  of  a 
man,  where  possible,  he  referred  to  the  constant 
acknowledgment  of  God  by  the  Moslems,  and  the  mark 
invariably  used  by  them  —  (4)  half-way  between  a  cross 
and  the  figure  4  —  at  the  commencement  of  letters  and 
all  writings,  even  official  documents,  standing  for:  "In 
the  name  of  God  the  Most  Merciful,"  -the  words 
beginning  every  chapter  of  the  Koran.  "  It  speaks 
well  for  them,"  he  said.  "They  are  not  ashamed  of 
their  religion.  And  their  rigid  exclusion  of  all  sem 
blance  of  idolatry  from  their  worship  is  beyond  praise." 

The  large  minds,  and  those  that  God  loves,  are  not 
those  that  stop  to  question  and  to  quarrel  about  little 
differences  of  religion,  but  those  who  agree  in  believ 
ing  the  great  things,  and  set  themselves  to  reach  them 
and  do  them. 

Among  the  protfgts  he  took  the  most  interest  and 
pleasure  in  were  those  he  was  encouraging  to  maintain 
industrious  habits  and  carry  on  some  trade  or  business, 
thus  preserving  their  self-respect.  There  was  the  fine 
old  Spanish  Jew,  an  aristocrat  in  his  way,  who  would 
not  think  of  taking  alms.  He  was  essentially  an  artist, 
a  virtuoso,  who  supported  himself  by  his  skilful  repair 
ing  and  renovating  of  Oriental  carpets  and  rugs, 
masterpieces  mellow  with  age.  He  was  accomplished 
in  his  knowledge  of  the  more  unique  specimens  of 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  103 

these,  any  of  which,  with  few  exceptions,  he  declared 
he  could  make.  Besides,  he  gathered  and  sold  other 
antiques.  He  was  a  picturesque  object  with  his  many- 
coloured  wools  and  threads,  visiting  houses  to  restore  the 
rare  old  mats  and  carpets,  lending  himself  to  the  work 
as  if  it  was  a  labour  of  love.  Leone  also  became  a 
patron  of  this  interesting  Jew,  whose  dignified  character 
he  could  not  but  respect;  and  he  told  his  uncle 
Anselmo  that  he  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
Spanish,  Portuguese  and  Italian  Jews  were  among  the 
more  noble  types. 

Others  he  was  also  interested  in  were  the  peasants 
and  villagers  who  earn  a  scanty  and  precarious  living 
by  the  peculiar  industry  of  the  grinding  and  powdering 
of  ancient  pottery  which  they  dig  out  of  the  long- 
accumulated  rubbish  of  the  city,  and  who  carry  on  their 
strange  manufacture  chiefly  on  the  rocky  ledges  at  the 
lower  end  of  the  Gihon.  This  long-seasoned  old  pot 
tery,  when  finely  ground  to  powder,  is  used  for  cement 
in  relining  cisterns,  and  for  other  purposes.  As  these 
men  and  women  often  dig  out  rare  old  Jewish,  Roman, 
and  other  coins,  ancient  iridescent  glass,  and  innu 
merable  miscellaneous  antiques,  they  naturally  become 
antiquarians  of  a  humble  sort.  They  found  it  profit 
able  to  resort  to  Leone  and  his  uncle  with  their  "  finds, " 
and  always  were  welcomed. 

No  doubt  occasionally  Jacobini  gave  indiscreetly. 
When  this  was  brought  to  his  notice,  he  would  confess 
with  contrition  his  fault. 

"  There  is  no  question  it  is  a  species  of  robbery  on 
my  part  as  well  as  on  his  who  deceived  me,  by  which 
the  worthy  poor  have  been  deprived  of  that  which 
should  have  gone  to  them,  but  which  has  been  diverted 
into  a  base  channel,"  was  his  censure  of  the  act.  "A 
man  must  not  let  the  feeling  of  kindness  go  in  advance 
of  duty  and  responsibility." 

He  had  always  attended  to  those  cases  personally. 
It  was  a  matter  which  he  disliked  delegating  to  another. 
And  on  the  appointed  days  the  courtyard  in  rear  of  his 
house  would  often  be  crowded  with  the  objects  of  his 
charity. 


IO4  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"I  am  a  rival  of  the  Greek  and  Latin  convents," 
he  said,  referring  to  the  enormous  distribution  of  bread 
at  those  religious  houses,  too  often  with  proselytising 
intent;  a  few  more  loaves  given  by  either  convent 
causing  an  entire  family  to  "flop  over"  into  the  church 
giving  the  greater  number. 

Since  Jacobini's  illness  Leone  was  obliged  to  take 
upon  himself  the  eleemosynary  functions  of  his  uncle, 
who  he  feared  would  never  again  be  able  to  resume 
them.  To  him  it  was  far  from  an  agreeable  duty. 
Many  of  the  Jewish  recipients  of  the  generous  bounty 
almost  demanded  it  as  a  right.  He  could  never  forget 
one  of  them  saying  to  him  in  an  angry  tone,  "  He 
owes  me  now  for  three  weeks." 

Jacobini's  recovery,  it  was  evident,  did  not  bring 
back  his  complete  strength;  and  his  physician  required 
that  the  greatest  care  and  caution  should  be  observed 
by  him,  even  after  his  convalescence.  Latterly  he  had 
fallen  into  a  gloomy  reminiscent  mood,  and  often 
talked  of  the  past  with  Leone,  when  he  had  him 
alone. 

"As  we  advance  in  years,"  he  said,  "we  have  so 
many  dead  belonging  to  us,  that  life  and  memory 
assume  for  us  more  or  less  of  the  graveyard  aspect. 
Do  what  we  will,  the  fact  remains.  We  try  to  forget 
it;  or  we  cover  the  graves  with  flowers  of  sentiment 
and  affection,  or  the  fragrance  of  old  joys;  and  we  tell 
ourselves  we  have  higher  hopes;  but  we  feel,  all  the 
time,  —  though  we  ought  not  to  feel  so,  —  that  the 
dreadful  darkness  is  there  that  no  light  can  dissipate, 
—  where  no  light  ever  comes,  or  has  come." 

He  had  been  speaking  of  the  deaths  of  his  two 
sons  and  his  wife,  having  previously  given  the  account 
of  the  death  of  his  sister  Rachele,  and  the  cruel  end  of 
his  only  brother.  He  spoke  of  the  home  in  Venice, 
and  the  overshadowing  of  it. 

"There  I  suffered  a  great  sorrow,"  he  said.  "It 
almost  fitted  me  for  the  '  kingdom  of  heaven  '  ;  purging 
away  the  dross,  and  lifting  me  up  —  up,  till  at  times 
I  seemed  to  breathe  celestial  air.  I  prayed  for  the 
souls  of  my  two  boys,  —  my  sons,  whom  I  had  expected 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  105 

to  pray  for  my  soul,  —  who  were  to  be  the  custodians  of 
the  sacred  trust  of  our  family  —  and  I  tried  to  be 
resigned.  God  help  me,  I  had  to  be  resigned !  But 
there  was  a  great  desolateness,  first.  Oh,  the  dreari 
ness,  the  blackness  of  despair,  the  nothingness  of  every 
thing  !  The  remembrance  of  it  haunts  me  yet.  It  is 
a  time  like  that  which  makes  or  mars  a  man  —  but 
oftenest  mars  him.  I  thanked  God  for  the  deliver 
ance." 

It  seemed  to  Leone  that  this  state  of  mind  portended 
the  change  that  comes  but  once  to  all;  and  that  his 
uncle,  in  thus  brooding,  was  conscious  and  expectant 
of  it.  But  the  physician  was  positive  that  the  worst 
was  over,  and  that  with  proper  care  Jacobini  might  live 
for  several  years. 

To  encourage  him,  Leone  told  him  the  doctor's 
opinion.  But  the  aged  man  shook  his  head  sadly. 

"At  my  time  of  life,"  he  said,  "who  knows  what  a 
day  may  bring  forth?  Though  I  have  recovered  from 
this  attack,  it  is  a  warning  to  me  to  put  my  house  in 
order  against  the  time  when  I  shall  go  hence  and  be 
no  more.  Well  may  I  say,  in  the  words  of  Job :  '  Is 
there  not  an  appointed  time  to  man  upon  earth  ?  are 
not  his  days  also  like  the  days  of  an  hireling? '  But 
think  not  I  repine  at  this." 

"Yet  you  are  much  better,"  said  Leone,  who  hardly 
knew  what  to  say  in  reply. 

"  Yes,  I  am  better  to-day ;  but  what  may  I  be  to 
morrow  ? " 

Jacobini  was  seated  in  his  favourite  place,  the  copy 
of  the  great  Pentateuch  open  before  him  on  his  reading 
desk.  The  day  was  remarkably  fine  and  sunny,  and 
he  enjoyed  it,  the  casement  being  unclosed  wide  to  the 
breeze.  His  face  showed  the  marks  of  his  recent 
illness.  There  was  a  touch  of  physical  weakness, 
though  the  lines  were  more  refined  and  spiritual.  But 
his  mind  was  bright  and  clear. 

"It  was  never  more  so,  in  all  my  life,"  he  declared. 
"It  has  been  refreshed  and  made  strong  by  glad 
tidings." 

He  had  just  received  the  news,  from  the  American 


io6  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

consul,    of   the  abrogation  of  the   Sultan's   firman   or 
decree  regarding  the  expulsion  of  the  Jews. 

"  Praise  be  to  God,  the  consul  has  succeeded  in  this 
great  deliverance  of  my  people!  His  representations 
and  despatches  have  had  the  effect.  Of  all  the  con 
suls  in  Jerusalem,  he  was  the  only  one  who  refused 
to  aid,  and  even  resisted,  the  Turkish  government  in 
this  work,  as  the  Pasha  of  Palestine  had  repeatedly  told 
him,  remonstrating  with  him.  He  was  alone;  but  he 
remained  firm.  See  the  result.  Four  hundred  Hebrews 
have  just  landed  at  Jaffa,  without  the  least  molestation 
or  hindrance;  and  there  will  be  no  more  expulsion! 
It  is  enough  to  put  new  life  in  me.  '  If  God  be  for  us, 
who  can  be  against  us  ? ' 

He  spoke  of  the  recent  coming  to  Jerusalem  of  the 
Jews  from  Yemen,  in  Arabia,  who  claimed  to  be  of 
the  tribe  of  Gad.  These  Gadite  Jews  said  they  had 
been  warned  by  writings  affixed  to  the  door  of  their 
synagogue,  which  told  them  that  the  time  had  come 
when  they  should  return  to  Jerusalem. 

"It  is  all  the  fulfilment  of  prophecy,"  he  said. 
"The  city  itself  is  growing  on  the  very  lines  foretold 
by  the  prophets  Jeremiah  and  Zachariah.  The  water 
too  shall  be  brought  into  Jerusalem  in  abundance,  '  a 
fountain  for  sin  and  for  uncleanness. '  We  have  no 
longer  need  of  faith,  when  we  see  these  things,  — when 
we  see  prophecy  fulfilling  itself  under  our  very  eyes. 
'  Great  is  our  Lord,  and  worthy  to  be  praised  ! '  Have 
I  not  magnified  his  holy  name?  " 

A  wonderful  change  passed  upon  the  face  and  form 
of  Jacobini  as  he  spoke.  It  was  as  if  he  was  trans 
figured,  —  overshadowed  by  some  holy  being.  He  put 
his  arm  around  Leone,  and  drew  him  to  him.  He  took 
his  hand  and  pressed  it  to  his  breast. 

"I  have  held  back  too  long,"  he  said,  "held  back, 
for  doubt  —  unbelief  —  and  want  of  faith.  But  it  shall 
be  so  no  longer.  Are  you  not  my  son  almost  as  much 
as  though  you  were  born  of  me?  Are  you  not  the 
grandson  of  my  father,  —  the  child  of  my  sister,  my 
beloved  Rachele?" 

"My  uncle!  Uncle  Anselmo,  you  are  tiring  your 
self!"  exclaimed  Leone. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  107 

He  could  not  understand.  He  thought  his  uncle's 
mind  was  wandering,  —  overcome  by  his  joy  at  the 
good  news. 

"Nay.  Listen  to  me,"  replied  his  uncle.  "Were 
we  not  hereditary  treasurers  and  scribes  of  the  Kings 
of  Judah,  beginning  with  King  David,  and  Keepers  of 
the  Great  Seal  of  the  King?  But  besides  this,  and 
above  all,  —  even  to  the  present  hour,  —  we  have  been 
the  custodians  of  the  '  Ineffable  Name, '  preserved 
hitherto  carefully  in  the  family,  and  spoken  by  the  head 
of  the  house,  in  secret,  to  the  eldest  son,  on  his  coming 
of  age,  that  it  might  be  kept  holy,  and  not  be  lost. 
Vocally  it  has  disappeared  from  the  world.  Its  pro 
nunciation,  —  its  very  sound,  —  its  exact  form,  have 
melted  from  the  memory  of  mankind  in  general.  The 
greatest  scholars  are  in  doubt  and  dispute  about  it.  I 
have  shown  you  the  name  upon  the  seal  —  the  four 
pointless  letters  that  express  it,  or  rather  stand  for  it 
-  in  reality  but  three,  for  the  second  and  fourth  char 
acters  are  alike.  The  vowels,  or  points  indicating  the 
vowels  being  wanting,  the  written  word  is  utterly 
unpronounceable.  It  is  the  archaic  Hebrew  —  lost  in 
Chaldea,  and  for  which  the  Chaldaic  alphabet  has  been 
substituted." 

By  this  time  Leone  was  all  attention,  —  so  absorbed 
he  would  not  speak,  lest  he  should  lose  a  word  of  what 
his  uncle  said. 

"  The  Name  above  every  Name,  —  the  sacredness  of 
it,  how  shall  I  express  it?"  continued  Jacobini.  "At 
one  time  it  was  never  written,  or  only  partially  written, 
and  then  with  a  separate  stylus,  or  one  cleansed  for  the 
purpose.  It  was  spoken  but  once  a  year,  by  the  High 
Priest,  when  he  went  into  the  Holy  of  Holies,  — where 
none  but  he  might  enter;  chains  being  fastened  about 
his  feet,  that  he  might  be  drawn  out  in  case  of  his 
death,  swooning,  illness,  or  other  accident.  On  com 
ing  out,  after  sprinkling  the  blood  of  atonement  on 
the  altar,  in  the  holy  place,  he  spoke  the  '  Ineffable 
Name '  in  the  ears  of  all  the  people,  they  prostrating 
themselves." 

All  this  Jacobini  related  to  Leone;  but  with  a  cer- 


io8  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

tain  measure  of  reluctance  and  fear,  —  Leone  not  being 
an  Israelite  indeed,  and  not  bearing  upon  his  person  the 
immemorial  mark  of  the  covenant. 

Had  it  been  possible  to  have  brought  it  about,  there 
is  no  doubt  it  would  have  relieved  the  good  and  pious 
Anselmo  to  have  had  Leone  receive  the  ancient  rite. 
But,  from  the  first,  his  uncle  had  little  or  no  hope  of 
inducing  him  to  submit  to  it ;  and  the  efforts  of  the 
rabbis  utterly  failed  with  the  young  man.  He  would 
not  listen  to  them  on  the  subject,  and  horrified  and 
scandalised  them  by  denouncing  and  ridiculing  it  in 
the  grossest  terms. 

"  I  have  delayed,  I  have  doubted,  I  have  argued 
with  myself  about  it,"  said  Jacobini.  "But  now  I  will 
no  longer  hesitate.  The  time  has  come.  I  feel  it  as 
if  an  angel  told  me.  On  this  day  of  days,  —  in  this 
very  hour,  —  this  very  moment,  I  am  determined  that 
to  you,  Leone,  the  last  of  our  blood,  the  rightful  heir 
to  the  inheritance,  honours  and  dignities  of  our  house, 
in  whom  its  hopes  are  fixed  for  its  perpetuation,  —  to 
you  I  am  resolved  to  communicate  the  '  Ineffable 
Name, '  as  it  was  conveyed  to  me ;  and  God  grant  it  is 
a  righteous  act,  and  that  you  will  keep  the  trust  faith 
fully,  and  transmit  it  in  like  manner  to  your  son." 

It  was  a  breathless  moment.  The  old  man  arose. 
A  look  of  awful  majesty  filled  his  expressive  counte 
nance,  that  was  lighted  with  an  unearthly  radiance.  He 
drew  himself  up,  so  that  in  Leone's  sight  he  appeared 
to  grow  taller,  —  much  taller  than  usual.  But  he 
remained  silent,  —  uttering  not  a  single  syllable,  till 
the  unbroken  stillness  of  the  room  became  oppressive, 

—  almost  unbearable. 

He  had  seemed  more  than  once  to  make  an  effort  to 
speak.  The  lips  moved,  but  not  a  sound  came  from 
them.  Leone  was  completely  awed  at  the  sight. 

At  last  the  aged  man  slowly  raised  his  arms  aloft, 

—  high  above  his  head,  holding  them  there  for  several 
moments.     Then,  lowering  them,  he  folded  them  for  a 
few  seconds  on  his  breast,  at  the  place  where  the  great 
jewelled   breastplate  with    the    Urim   and  Thummim, 
that  dread  and  mystic  oracle  of  Israel's  worship,  was 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  109 

worn  by  the  High  Priest;  but  finally,  with  a  motion 
of  grievous  pity,  extended  them,  one  on  each  side,  to 
their  full  length,  in  that  significant  posture  symbolising 
the  sacred  Tau  —  the  ansated  cross,  which  was  archaic 
and  venerable  in  the  days  when  Moses  wandered  by  the 
Nile,  the  boy -protege  of  Pharaoh's  daughter,  learning 
all  the  wisdom  of  the  Egyptians. 

Leone  bowed  himself  in  the  attitude  of  worship. 
In  that  instant  the  Word  seemed  to  speak  itself,  in 
living  accents.  The  long-disused  syllables  took  dis 
tinct  form.  And  upon  the  wondering  air  rested,  like  a 
benediction,  the  Name  of  the  Most  High  God. 


CHAPTER  XI 

WHEN  the  night  came  down  and  darkness  covered 
the  land,  Hassan  was  still  abiding  in  the  fields, 
watching  his  flock. 

The  stars  came  out,  one  by  one.  They  hung  like 
rare  jewels  —  diamonds,  emeralds,  sapphires  and  rubies 
of  the  first  water  —  in  that  clear  cloudless  sky.  He 
could  tell  them  all  by  their  names ;  for,  many  a  night 
had  he  lain  thus,  gazing  into  the  face  of  the  heavens,  till 
it  had  become  to  him  as  the  face  of  a  friend. 

"They  are  my  familiars,"  he  said.  "They  speak  to 
me,  and  I  know  their  voices." 

The  air  was  filled  with  odours  unknown  to  the  day. 
The  night-smelling  stock  poured  out  its  delicious,  copious, 
mystical  fragrance,  which  the  sun,  all  day  long,  had  been 
unable  to  awaken,  and  with  the  breath  of  mint  and 
thyme  and  rue  and  many  another  herb  saturated  the 
soft  westerly  gale  that  swept  up  from  the  great  sca 
the  not  so  very  far  off  blue  Mediterranean.  It  was  as  if 
the  feet  of  the  genii  and  other  spirits  trod  out  the  per 
fume,  or  as  if  the  unseen  angel  host  swung  censers 
overflowing  with  pungent  burning  incense. 

"What  a  beautiful  fragrant  carpet  of  God  the  wild 
uncontaminated  places  of  the  earth  are !  It  is  all  a 


no  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

prayer-carpet  —  a  seggadeh,"  said  the  young  shep 
herd. 

Lonely  as  the  place  was  during  the  day,  it  was  far 
more  lonely  in  the  still  night-watches.  The  mysterious 
silences  seemed  to  Hassan  to  have  a  presence  —  an  in 
dividuality,  and  to  be  one  with  the  almost  palpable  and 
impenetrable  darkness  that  enveloped  everything  as 
with  a  garment ;  and  to  be  allied  with  the  intensified 
odours  that  swept  along  the  ground  in  spicy  whiffs. 
They  suggested  the  afrit,  peri  and  demon.  He  drew  his 
abai  of  camel's  hair,  woven  in  those  broad  brown  and 
white  stripes,  so  peculiarly  characteristic,  more  closely 
about  him,  as  much  from  his  sense  of  isolation  and  awe, 
as  to  guard  against  the  chilliness  of  the  atmosphere, 
while  he  settled  nearer  to  the  overhanging  rock,  whose 
shelter  he  had  selected  as  his  place  of  bivouac.  Well 
might  he  say  in  the  words  of  Jacob  of  old :  "  In  the 
day  the  drought  consumed  me,  and  the  frost  by  night ; 
and  my  sleep  departed  from  mine  eyes." 

An  unaccountable  feeling  of  anxiety  as  well  as  the 
cold  had  made  him  wakeful ;  and  he  had  slept  but  little. 

"The  genii  and  their  chief,  Iblees,  are  surely  abroad 
to-night,"  he  soliloquized. 

He  had  brought  his  sheep  to  this  spot  for  more  than 
one  reason.  The  pasturage,  though  of  limited  extent, 
was  some  of  the  best  in  the  neighborhood,  and  was  pro 
tected  from  the  colder  winds  by  a  long,  though  irregular 
and  partially  broken  natural  wall  of  cliff.  Moreover, 
water,  that  great  desideratum,  was  accessible,  if  not 
abundant. 

But  these  inducements  were  doubtless  of  far  less 
weight  with  him  at  present  than  the  fact  that  Hilwe 
would  be  there  on  the  morrow,  as  she  had  informed  him. 
Spite  of  custom  —  that  unwritten  tyrannical  law  —  she 
had  promised  to  meet  him  there.  The  adjacent  hillside 
was  thickly  covered  with  the  brushwood  which  the  peas 
ants  of  Palestine  are  so  largely  dependent  on  for  their  fuel. 
As  is  well  known,  with  the  peculiar  habits  of  the  people, 
its  provision  is  nearly  altogether  left  to  the  women  of 
the  family,  who  cut,  dry,  haul  and  store  it  for  household 
purposes.  It  is  chiefly  employed  for  heating  the  great 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  ill 

ovens,  built  of  stone,  which  are  such  conspicuous  objects 
in  all  the  villages  of  the  country,  and  which  are  largely 
used  in  common  by  the  inhabitants  of  each  place.  He 
was  aware,  from  personal  knowledge,  that  an  extra  or 
unusual  quantity  of  the  brushwood  had  been  cut  and 
dried  on  that  particular  hillside,  in  which  the  people  of 
Malha  claimed  a  proprietary  interest,  and  that  the  im 
portant  product  now  only  required  collecting  together 
in  piles  or  bale-like  bundles,  and  finally  conveying  to 
the  village  on  the  backs  of  donkeys,  or,  as  was  too  often 
the  case,  on  the  backs  of  the  women  themselves. 

When  donkeys  were  employed,  the  men  sometimes 
condescended  to  assist  in  the  work  of  driving  them. 
Otherwise  all  of  this  drudgery  generally  fell  to  the  lot 
of  the  women. 

Hilwe  would  probably  be  accompanied  by  three  or 
four  of  the  elder  women  of  Malha,  under  whose  espionage 
she  would,  more  or  less,  be  placed.  But  this  was  an 
impediment  both  the  young  people  had  taken  into  con 
sideration,  and  with  which  there  was  more  than  one  way 
of  satisfactorily  dealing. 

Hassan  had  secretly  gathered  and  bound  Hilwe's  share 
of  the  brush. 

"  I  have  made  it  easy  for  her,"  he  said  smiling. 

The  women  occupied  with  their  work,  would  get  sepa 
rated,  Hassan  argued.  Where  they  had  no  special  or 
personal  interest  in  the  young  woman  under  their  charge, 
such  as  the  bond  of  relationship  implied,  and  as  was  the 
case  in  this  instance,  their  responsibility,  usually  self- 
imposed,  was  of  the  lightest  and  frailest  character,  and 
their  duty  as  guardians  was  performed  in  the  most  per 
functory  manner,  if  at  all.  Hilwe  could,  without  diffi 
culty,  wander  off,  out  of  eyesight  and  earshot  of  those 
obnoxious  creatures ;  and  so  he  could  have  her  all  to 
himself,  and  enjoy  with  her  the  secret  meeting  for  which 
his  whole  soul  thirsted  and  longed. 

The  very  suggestion  set  him  beside  himself,  and  made 
the  weary  hours  of  the  night  seem  longer. 

"Yes,"  he  said,  "it  can  easily  be  done.  Why  not?" 
And,  with  the  ardent  imagination  of  the  Oriental,  he  was 
not  slow  in  filling  up  the  details. 


H2  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

He  had  discovered  a  cave  in  the  cliff  near  his  pastur 
age,  a  place  little  resorted  to,  and  difficult  to  find,  and 
where  the  women  from  Malha  would  be  most  unlikely  to 
penetrate,  as  it  was  distinctly  on  the  Bettir  side  of  the 
boundary.  He  for  some  time  had  used  this  cave  as  a 
shelter  and  partial  dwelling-place.  There  Hilwe  and  he 
could  safely  meet  and  discuss  the  present  shape  of 
things,  and  make  their  plans  for  the  future. 

Under  the  distressing  circumstances  in  which  they 
were  placed,  it  was  necessary  that  they  should  meet 
and  comfort  each  other.  They  could  not  live,  otherwise. 
It  was  all-important  too  that  Hassan  should  be  kept 
informed  of  the  progress  of  the  suit  of  Abd-el-nour,  and 
of  any  new  and  dangerous  phases  it  should  assume. 

These  were  the  things  that  Hassan  and  Hilwe  told 
themselves  in  exculpation  of  the  facts,  and  in  presence 
of  their  superabundant  love  for  each  other. 

"  Thou  wilt  not  fail  to  come,  Hilwe?"  Hassan  asked, 
for  the  pleasure  of  hearing  her  answer. 

"  Ah,  surely  I  shall  be  there,  with  Allah's  help  !  "  was 
her  ringing  reply. 

When  a  young  man  and  young  woman  are  deter 
mined  on  meeting,  what  power  on  earth  can  prevent 
their  coming  together?  The  very  spirits  of  the  air 
seem  to  become  their  allies,  and  the  occult  principles 
and  laws  of  nature  appear  to  be  on  their  side,  to  fight 
for  them.  How  often  have  they  been  known  to  carry 
on  their  procedures  under  the  very  eyes  and  noses  of 
their  elders,  without  causing  the  least  suspicion  of  what 
they  were  at,  and  though  those  sagacious  guardians 
had,  of  course,  the  full  benefit  of  their  own  experiences 
to  warn  them  of  the  inevitable  result.  It  seems  to  be 
a  natural  fatality,  or,  more  properly,  a  result  of  the 
conditions. 

In  the  darkness  of  the  long-drawn  night  hours,  in  his 
sheltered  nook,  on  the  edge  of  the  beautiful  stretch  of 
pasture,  his  solid  shoulders  pressing  against  the  side  of 
the  overhanging  rock,  Hassan  saw  in  anticipation  the 
whole  scene  of  the  blissful  meeting  which  he  hoped  to 
realise  on  the  morrow.  It  sent  the  blood  in  warmer, 
swifter,  and  more  blissful  currents  through  his  veins,  and 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  nj 

made  him  long,  more  than  ever,  that  the  night  were 
over. 

As  he  noted  the  time  by  the  stars,  he  thought  they 
had  never  moved  so  slowly.  Yet  the  glinting  Fishes, 
true  to  Palestine,  shone  bright.  There  was  Orion,  up 
on  high,  a  strong  young  man,  like  himself;  belted,  and 
armed,  and  valiant,  a  very  giant,  he  stood  up  boldly  and 
defiantly  in  the  firmament,  in  his  complete  virile  equip 
ment,  a  resolute  victor  forever.  It  did  him  good  to  see 
him ;  and  he  praised  God  like  a  faithful  Moslem,  and 
took  courage.  Near  by  were  the  Pleiades  glittering  like 
a  netted  purse  of  gold ;  and  not  far  off  the  Hyades,  look 
ing  like  the  Arabic  numeral  Sabaa  —  seven  —  (V). 

"  They  all  mean  good  fortune,"  he  said. 

True,  the  red  Antares  in  the  baneful  Scorpion  seemed 
to  watch  him  ominously  like  a  fiery  evil  eye. 

"  Perhaps  it  means  Abd-el-nour,"  he  whispered. 

But  he  did  not  care.  He  could  outmatch  him,  and 
get  the  better  of  him,  he  was  confident.  Yes,  he  would 
thwart  his  base  designs,  and  deliver  Hilwe  from  him ; 
he  would  be  a  victor,  as  was  Orion,  the  immortal 
hunter. 

Like  most  Mohammedans,  Hassan  had  his  tasbih  or 
chaplet  of  beads  with  him,  and,  notwithstanding  the 
wandering  thoughts,  slipped  the  tiny  balls,  made  of  wood 
from  Mecca —  most  holy  Mecca  —  with  great  regularity, 
muttering  as  each  one  passed  through  his  fingers,  the 
name  of  God  —  "  Allah." 

This  act  very  soon  becomes  with  the  worshipper 
merely  formal  and  automatic.  But  in  the  East  almost 
everyone,  excepting  the  Jew  and  women,  carries  a  chaplet 
or  rosary,  and  whether  in  the  street  or  the  house, 
men  may  be  seen  having  these  articles  of  devotion  in 
their  hands,  and  sliding  the  beads  with  constant  motion 
through  their  fingers,  which  they  continue  to  do  in  the 
midst  of  their  conversation  and  business  transactions. 
Even  natives  belonging  to  the  Protestant  churches  per 
sist  in  the  habit.  They  say  they  do  it  for  amusement, 
to  occupy  their  hands  and  to  pass  the  time.  No  doubt 
it  contributes  to  the  ease  of  manner  for  which  the  Ori 
ental  is  so  celebrated.  The  rosary  was  unknown  in 


H4  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Europe  till  introduced  by  the  Crusaders  returning  from 
the  Holy  Land. 

Hassan  also  commenced  repeating  portions  of  the 
Koran,  which  he  found  exceedingly  comforting  in  the 
darkness,  and  helpful  in  making  the  hours  pass  less 
tardily. 

Especially  did  he  love  to  dwell  on  those  parts  which 
describe  the  bliss  of  Paradise,  and  the  exquisite  delights 
of  the  true  believers,  in  the  future  life.  How  his  tongue 
and  his  thoughts  lingered  and  luxuriated  over  those 
highly  coloured  and  voluptuous  portrayals  of  the  happi 
ness  in  store  for  the  faithful  followers  of  the  Prophet, 
and  which  pictured  them  as  "  reposing  on  couches 
adorned  with  gold  and  precious  stones ;  sitting  opposite 
to  one  another  thereon,"  so  as  to  enjoy  in  companion 
ship  their  pleasures;  while  "youths  who  shall  continue 
in  their  bloom  forever  shall  go  round  about  to  attend 
them,  with  goblets  and  beakers,  and  a  cup  of  flowing 
wine  —  denied  them  on  earth,  but  now  permitted  —  and 
with  fruits  of  the  sorts  which  they  shall  choose,  and  the 
flesh  of  birds  of  the  kind  which  they  shall  desire.  And 
there  shall  accompany  them  fair  damsels  having  large 
black  eyes,  resembling  pearls  hidden  in  their  shells ;  as 
a  reward  for  that  which  they  shall  have  wrought." 
These  resplendent  houris  of  paradise  are  not  created  of 
clay  as  mortal  women  are,  but  are  made  of  pure  musk. 
Each  sense  shall  have  its  proper  gratification,  none  shall 
be  unsatisfied.  The  ear  will  be  entertained  with  the 
ravishing  songs  of  the  angel  Israfil,  who  has,  of  all  God's 
creatures,  the  sweetest  voice.  And  to  qualify  the  blessed 
for  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  pleasures  of  this  garden  of 
delights,  "  God  will  give  to  every  one  the  abilities  of  a 
hundred  men." 

This  is  the  Moslem's  dream  of  Heaven,  the  Paradise 
revealed  in  his  holy  book,  the  hope  of  reaching  which 
he  has  ever  before  him  amid  the  trials  and  vicissitudes 
of  this  life. 

It  was  natural  that  Hassan,  in  contemplating  the 
ecstatic  vision  as  related  by  the  Arabian  Prophet  should 
mingle  with  the  picture  of  the  chief  actors  in  this  allur 
ing  scene  —  those  beauteous  large-eyed  virgins  of  Para- 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  115 

disc  —  the  image  of  his  beloved,  Hilwe.  To  him,  each 
of  the  seventy-two  damsels  apportioned  to  him  as  his 
own  individual  share  in  the  heavenly  place,  bore  the 
exact  image  and  likeness  of  the  woman  he  loved  —  the 
little  maiden  of  Malha. 

"Ah,  my  Hilwe,"  he  exclaimed,  "I  shall  long  for 
thee  even  in  Paradise,  and  therefore  shall  have  thee 
there." 

The  only  possibility  of  a  woman  entering  Heaven,  it 
is  firmly  believed  by  the  Moslems,  rests  upon  her  hav 
ing  a  husband  there  who  wishes  for  her. 

With  the  more  sensual  conception  of  the  Koran 
mingled  that  revelation  of  the  new  Heaven  of  St.  John 
the  Evangelist  which  Hassan  had  learned  from  the 
missionaries,  and  which  is  described  as  the  holy  city, 
the  new  Jerusalem,  coming  down  from  on  high,  pre 
pared  as  a  bride  adorned  for  her  husband.  Here  he 
was  told  of  gates  of  pearl,  foundations  of  precious 
stones,  streets  of  gold,  and  the  river  of  life,  on  the  sides 
of  which  were  planted  that  wondrous  tree  bearing 
twelve  manner  of  fruits,  and  whose  leaves  were  for  the 
healing  of  the  nations.  There  was  no  night  there.  He 
remembered  that  very  distinctly  —  all  the  more  so  that 
he  was  now  experiencing  the  effects  of  exposure  to  a 
very  dark  and  cold  night  on  that  breezy  hillside  of 
Palestine. 

In  the  midst  of  these  beatific  images  of  Paradise  and 
its  delights,  with  which,  as  has  been  said,  invariably 
mingled  the  face  and  form  of  his  adored  Hilwe,  Hassan 
was  suddenly  and  rudely  aroused  to  the  fact  that  some 
wild  beast  had  attacked  his  flock. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  night  he  had  been  dis 
turbed  by  the  howling  and  sharp  barking  of  the  jackals 
which  infested  those  cliffs  and  hillsides  in  great  numbers, 
and  which  even  are  bold  enough  to  show  themselves 
during  the  daytime.  The  most  annoying  whining  cry 
of  a  hyena  had  also  more  than  once  sounded  unpleas 
antly  near.  This  last  animal,  with  its  great  fangs,  and 
of  cruel  and  treacherous  nature  as  well  as  hideous  as 
pect,  reaches  a  large  size,  and  sometimes  proves  a  dis 
agreeable  visitor  to  the  shepherd  and  his  flock. 


n6  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Hassan  had  therefore  to  keep  on  the  alert,  and  had 
been  unable  to  obtain  more  than  a  few  brief  snatches 
of  sleep  throughout  the  entire  time,  though  it  was  by 
this  near  to  daybreak. 

The  peculiar  howl  and  deep  growling  which  now  broke 
on  his  startled  ear  was  different  from  anything  of  the 
kind  with  which  he  was  acquainted.  It  was  accompanied 
by  a  frightened  scampering  and  bleating  of  the  sheep. 

He  immediately  sprang  to  his  feet,  and,  seizing  his 
heavily-knobbed  club,  such  as  shepherds  in  Palestine 
are  invariably  provided  with  when  tending  their  flocks, 
he  quickly  ran  down  towards  the  partly  artificial,  partly 
natural  inclosure  into  which,  as  the  night  had  come  on, 
he  had  driven  his  flock  for  security. 

The  rear  of  the  rude  inclosure,  if  such  it  may  be 
called,  was  formed  of  the  high  cliff,  and  so  afforded 
ample  protection  in  that  quarter.  A  low  spur  covered 
with  broken  rock  that  ran  out  from  the  cliff  at  an 
obtuse  angle  formed  one  of  the  sides;  the  opposite 
side  consisted  of  great  fragments  of  stone  which,  loosen 
ing  and  breaking  away  from  the  ledge,  had  fallen  and 
partly  rolled  down  the  slope,  lying  piled  with  more 
or  less  irregularity  for  some  distance  from  its  base. 
The  fourth  and  last  side,  which  had  in  it  the  entrance, 
and  was  parallel  to  the  cliff,  was  almost  totally  of  arti 
ficial  construction,  being  made  chiefly  of  the  scattered 
boulders  collected  from  the  adjacent  surface  of  the 
ground,  and  built  up  into  the  most  primitive  form  of 
a  mortarless  wall  or  fence. 

Though  the  second  and  third  mentioned  sides  had 
received  from  the  hand  of  man  some  little  assistance 
in  bringing  them  into  their  shape,  they  had  long  since 
lost  most  of  the  evidence  of  such  a  fact,  and  seemed 
to  have  lapsed  back  into  a  state  of  nature.  They  were 
to  a  great  extent  covered  with  a  growth  of  weeds,  brush, 
and  shrubs,  and  on  the  spur-like  ridge  two  or  three  fig- 
trees  had  taken  root,  springing  from  the  chance  seeds 
deposited  probably  by  a  bird,  or  unheedingly  dropped 
by  some  shepherd  or  wayfarer  of  a  generation  ago,  who 
had  stopped  there  to  rest  while  he  ate  his  simple  meal 
of  bread  and  figs. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  117 

This  gentle  merging  into  what  they  originally  came 
out  of —  this  sinking  back  into  nature,  of  dwelling,  wall, 
terrace,  bastion,  palace  and  temple  —  is  a  sight  which  one 
grows  familiar  with  in  this  ancient  land ;  and  the  matter 
is  often  so  nicely  balanced  that  it  is  a  puzzle  to  deter 
mine  with  certainty  that  the  particular  object  before 
one,  covered  with  clinging  vines  and  plants,  and  over 
shadowed  with  shrubbery,  is  of  artificial  structure,  or 
that,  from  the  beginning  to  the  present  time  it  was 
Nature's  work,  and  Nature's  alone. 

In  no  other  country  in  the  world  are  even  the  dwell 
ings  of  the  present  day  in  such  absolute  harmony  with 
their  surroundings.  They  are  completely  akin  to  the 
rocky  "  high-places,"  the  craggy  cliffs  and  scaurs  which 
they  front  or  crown,  and  which  they  seem  to  have 
grown  out  of,  through  some  natural  process,  rather 
than  to  have  been  built  by  man. 

The  fact  that  the  village  house  is,  in  many  cases, 
simply  a  single  room,  or,  at  best,  an  extension  or 
series  of  rooms,  in  one  story  or  more,  erected  in  front 
of  a  great  cave,  the  abiding  place  of  the  prehistoric 
people  of  the  land,  the  troglodytes  of  Palestine  —  in  not 
a  few  instances  the  direct  ancestors  of  the  present  occu 
pants —  is  another  consonance  of  significant  import, 
and  an  interesting  link  in  the  mighty  chain  of  the  life- 
record  of  the  aborigines  of  the  country  and  the  history 
of  the  human  race.  The  hole  or  cave  in  the  rock 
has  simply  developed  or  expanded  into  the  stone  house 
—  in  reality  a  sort  of  cliff-dwelling,  bearing  in  colour 
and  structure  the  very  appearance  of  being  a  continua 
tion  of  the  rock  itself,  of  which,  and  upon  which  it  has 
been  built. 

Hassan  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance  towards 
the  inclosure,  when  the  peculiar  sounds  he  heard  had 
the  effect  of  making  him  suddenly  retrace  his  steps. 
This  was  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  his  rifle,  he  hav 
ing  left  it  in  a  hollow  of  the  rock  beneath  which  he  had 
bivouacked.  The  implement  was  rather  an  antiquated- 
looking  piece,  bound  with  many  brass  bands,  and  other 
wise  repaired,  and  with  the  general  appearance  that 
it  might  be  of  dangerous  consequences  to  him  who 


n8  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

employed  it.  Yet,  like  many  another  of  the  same  kind 
found  in  Bedawin  tents  and  elsewhere  in  this  country, 
in  the  hands  of  a  native  skilled  in  its  use  it  was  an 
effective  weapon.  It  was  a  flintlock,  and  was  already 
loaded  and  primed. 

There  was  more  than  one  entrance  to  the  fold-like 
inclosure,  though  only  one  regular  place  of  ingress  and 
egress.  Hassan  did  not  take  the  time  to  go  around 
to  the  latter.  He  ran  up  a  slope  at  the  side  nearest 
to  him  and  finding  an  opening  in  the  bushes  crowning 
the  summit,  a  place  so  well  known  to  him  he  had  no 
trouble  in  finding  it  in  the  night,  he  let  himself  down 
into  the  pen. 

The  little  field-like  space  did  not  contain  quite  as 
much  as  an  acre  of  ground;  but  everything  was  so  dark 
within,  Hassan  at  first  had  the  greatest  difficulty  in  dis 
tinguishing  objects,  even  those  close  at  hand. 

His  coming  seemed  to  have  produced  a  certain  diver 
sion  in  the  attack  of  whatever  wild  beast  it  was  which 
had  broken  into  the  fold.  But  this  was  only  temporary. 
The  assault  was  soon  renewed,  as  was  manifest  by  the 
low  growl  of  the  intruder  and  the  piteous  bleating  of 
the  sheep. 

"  Bismillah,"  he  cried,  partly  as  an  exclamation, 
partly  as  a  prayer.  "  Perhaps  it  is  Iblees  himself,  the 
chief  of  the  devils." 

Hassan  at  once  divested  himself  of  his  loose  raiment. 
He  cast  aside  his  tarboosh,  dropped  his  heavy  abai 
from  his  shoulders,  letting  it  fall  in  a  heap  by  the 
fence,  and  stood  forth  in  the  full  freedom  of  his  finely- 
formed  muscular  limbs,  not  even  wearing  the  sheep 
skin  jacket  of  the  shepherd,  but  only  the  simple  cotton 
undergarment  of  the  country,  confined  around  his  loins 
by  a  leathern  girdle.  In  this  last  he  had  thrust  his 
heavy  club,  with  its  rounded  knob,  his  hands  being  occu 
pied  with  his  rifle.  The  hair  stood  erect  on  his  bared 
head,  not  from  cowardice,  but  in  full  realisation  of  his 
peril,  as  he  gathered  his  strength  for  the  conflict. 

In  whatever  the  Syrian  may  be  lacking,  whatever 
may  be  his  shortcomings  and  his  vices,  under  circum 
stances  such  as  these,  he  is  rarely  deficient  in  courage. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  119 

With  his  physical  endowments,  it  is  only  natural  he 
should  not  be  wanting  in  the  characteristics  generally 
supposed  to  pertain  to  and  accompany  them,  and  espe 
cially  the  quality  which,  in  both  civilised  and  savage 
life,  men  prize  so  highly,  and  which  they  have  named 
courage  or  bravery. 

It  was,  as  might  be  expected,  with  no  misgiving  or 
hesitation,  and  with  but  little  reflection,  that  Hassan 
promptly  and  steadily  proceeded  against  his  unknown 
adversary. 

It  soon  became  apparent  to  him  that  the  wild  beast 
had  already  seized  one  of  the  sheep,  and  was  attempt 
ing  to  drag  it  away  to  devour  it.  No  time  must  there 
fore  be  lost  if  he  would  save  alive  the  innocent  and 
helpless  prey. 

For  an  instant,  through  the  darkness  cast  by  the  over 
hanging  cliff  and  rocks,  he  had  caught  the  glare  of  a 
pair  of  fierce  eyes  turned  upon  him.  It  was  only  for  a 
moment  that  the  almost  phosphorescent  greenish  light 
of  those  malign  orbs,  like  flaming  emeralds,  blazed  daz- 
zlingly  into  his  face,  not  giving  him  time  to  level  and 
take  aim  with  his  rifle. 

Nor  had  he  opportunity  to  repeat  the  seven  salaams 
from  the  Koran,  recited  by  religious  Moslems  in  danger 
or  distress.  He  could  only  say:  "Bismillah  —  In  the 
name  of  God." 

And  now,  as  his  eyes  became  mor-?  accustomed  to 
the  darkness,  which  was  far  more  intense  within  than 
without  the  inclosure,  he  had  a  passing  glimpse  of  the 
strange  animal  which  had  broken  into  the  fold,  and  he 
knew  it  was  a  panther,  a  species  of  leopard  which  now 
is  seldom  or  never  found  in  that  part  of  the  country, 
though  at  one  time  it  must  have  abounded  there,  and 
still  may  be  detected  upon  the  Galilean  hills,  being 
common  beyond  the  Jordan,  in  the  Moabite  region. 

It  must  have  wandered  out  of  its  district,  and  gradu 
ally  lost  itself,  to  be  found  so  far  off  from  its  haunts, 
whether  they  were  in  the  Mount  Tabor  range,  by  the 
Lake  of  Galilee,  or  in  Moab. 

Hassan  recognised  at  once  the  formidable  character 
of  the  creature  he  had  to  contend  with.  He  had  seen 


I2O  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

the  leopard  in  the  wild  Adwan  country,  beyond  the 
Jordan,  during  a  visit  there,  and  could  not  be  mistaken. 
He  had  also  seen  the  skins  of  that  animal  brought  in  by 
the  Bedawin  hunters,  who  always  take  the  greatest  pride 
in  exhibiting  them  as  an  evidence  of  their  prowess,  tell 
ing  surprising  stories  of  their  desperate  encounters. 

The  leopard  —  what  a  profound  wickedness  is  in  that 
creature  !  He  sits,  satisfied  with  himself,  and  crouches 
with  the  determination  to  proceed  further  in  his  evil- 
doing.  He  evidently  thinks  wickedness  is  the  right 
thing.  And  possibly  it  is,  for  him.  At  least,  to  him, 
his  sins  are  no  sins.  When  God  made  that  creature  He 
must  have  known  what  He  was  doing.  But  one  hesi 
tates  to  follow  the  legitimate  inferences. 

Though  Hassan  well  knew  the  perilous  nature  of  his 
position,  and  that  even  his  life  was  in  jeopardy,  he 
shrank  not  from  the  duty  before  him.  He  was  there  to 
protect  the  sheep  —  to  defend  them  from  any  and  every 
foe,  even  at  the  risk  of  his  life. 

Long  before  the  days  of  the  Great  Shepherd,  it  had 
been  an  established  maxim  in  Palestine  that  "  the  good 
shepherd,"  by  which  name  he  called  himself,  "  giveth 
his  life  for  the  sheep."  And  it  was  from  such  scenes  as 
these,  enacted  on  these  Judaean  hillsides,  that  some  of 
the  most  beautiful  pictures  and  heart-reaching  lessons 
the  world  has  ever  received  were  taken. 

Hassan,  therefore,  instinctively  strode  forward,  level 
ling  his  rifle  from  time  to  time,  and  trying  to  get  a  good 
aim,  but  fearing  to  fire  lest,  under  the  circumstances,  he 
should  kill  some  of  the  sheep. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  exaggerate  the  beauty  of 
his  form  and  the  exquisitely  graceful  movements  of  his 
shapely  limbs,  as,  all  unconscious  of  his  glorious  en 
dowments,  he  advanced  upon  the  foe,  without  a  fear  as 
to  the  danger  to  which  he  was  exposing  himself.  Ab 
sorbed  in  his  purpose,  everything  else  was  for  the  moment 
forgotten. 

The  semi-darkness  added  the  quality  of  mystery  to 
the  scene. 

Meanwhile  the  leopard  had  reached  a  part  of  the 
inclosure  more  removed  from  the  shadows  cast  by  the 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  121 

cliff  and  shrubbery,  and  where  the  effect  of  the  fast- 
approaching  dawn  was  more  apparent. 

For  the  first  time  the  brave  young  shepherd  got  a 
full  view  of  the  bloodthirsty  beast  which  was  carrying 
off  his  trembling  sheep.  There  the  ravening  tyrant 
stood,  lashing  his  tail,  and  uttering  a  low  growl,  secure 
in  his  might,  and,  like  most  of  the  members  of  his  tribe, 
protracting  his  enjoyment  by  gloating  over  his  victim 
and  deferring  the  final  acts  of  slaying,  rending,  and 
devouring. 

Hassan,  raising  his  weapon,  took  deliberate  aim. 

The  next  moment  a  quick  streak  of  fire  divided  the 
gloom ;  and  a  sharp,  almost  deafening,  report  rang  out 
on  the  stillness  of  the  night,  already  morning. 

The  immediate  permeating  silence  which  followed 
this  detonation  seemed  the  death  of  all  sound.  But 
this  was  only  for  a  second  or  so.  A  wild  clash  and 
concussion  of  echoing  reverberations,  like  volley  after 
volley  of  artillery,  woke  up  in  distant  glen,  hollow  and 
waddy,  and  pealed  and  repealed  against  rocky  cliff  and 
hill,  —  grew  faint,  swooned,  awoke  again,  —  then  died 
away  in  a  long-drawn  sigh, —  partially  revived  in  strangely 
near  and  loud  rumbling  and  thunder-like  claps,  buffeted 
to  and  fro,  followed  with  resounding  but  ever  more 
muffled  echoes  in  more  remote  fastnesses,  and  finally 
ceased  altogether,  when  one  might  wonder  whether  it 
would  ever  cease. 

A  flock  of  startled  birds  rose  with  clamorous  cry 
from  roosting  places  in  the  cliffs,  wheeling  high  in  air. 
Nature's  peace  was  broken  —  her  solitude  insulted. 

When  the  smoke  cleared  away,  the  leopard  might  be 
seen  having  the  appearance  of  being  dazed  or  para 
lysed. 

The  bullet  had  taken  effect  back  of  the  left  shoulder. 

But  was  the  wound  fatal? 

The  creature  had  let  the  sheep  drop,  and  seemed 
more  stunned  by  the  sudden  report  of  the  rifle  than 
injured  by  the  wound. 

In  a  flash,  and  with  the  alert  action  of  its  kind,  it 
recovered  itself,  and,  goaded  by  the  stinging  pain  of 
the  ball,  turned  and  sprang  upon  Hassan. 


122  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

The  leap  was  made  with  all  the  fury  and  energy  of 
which  the  animal  was  capable. 

The  gray  dawn,  as  has  been  shown,  was  already  be 
ginning  to  make  itself  felt,  the  coming  of  the  day  here 
being,  as  is  well  known,  much  more  rapid  than  in  some 
other  countries ;  and  objects  seemed  suddenly  to  grow 
more  distinctly  visible,  especially  in  that  part  of  the 
inclosure  where  the  conflict  took  place.  This  was 
greatly  aided  by  the  lifting  and  parting  of  a  heavy  rack 
of  cloud  which  had  hitherto  hung  low  at  the  eastern 
horizon.  Thus  Hassan  easily  perceived  the  attack  of  the 
enraged  pard,  —  that  agile  beast  appearing  to  come  flying 
through  the  air,  a  beautiful  as  well  as  a  fearful  sight. 

The  poor  fellow  might  well  be  appalled  at  the  spec 
tacle.  The  angry  roar,  the  displayed  fangs,  the  extended 
claws,  the  lithe  embodiment  of  frenzied  rage  united  with 
superhuman  strength — few  things  can  be  more  instan 
taneously  terrible. 

Never  for  a  moment  had  Hassan  removed  his  gaze 
from  the  intrepid  enemy.  And  as  it  came  towards  him 
with  all  its  gathered  force,  and  with  the  accuracy  of  a 
bomb  from  a  mortar,  determined  to  overwhelm  him  at 
one  fell  swoop,  he  kept  his  place,  motionless,  to  the 
last  possibly  safe  fraction  of  time,  measured  by  his  keen 
eye  with  the  greatest  nicety;  then,  bounding  aside,  he 
let  the  tawny  monster  go  swinging  past. 

The  fiery  beast  reached  the  ground  with  a  dull  heavy 
thud,  barely  saving  itself  from  rolling  over  and  over. 

With  the  almost  intuitive  perception  possessed  by 
many  of  the  lower  animals  in  a  degree  marvellous  to 
us,  the  leopard  had  detected  Hassan's  strategical  move 
ment,  though  too  late  to  recover  itself.  It  had  spasmod 
ically  stretched  out  its  nearest  paw  in  passing  him,  with 
the  intention  of  seizing  him,  and  arresting  its  course. 
But  it  only  succeeded  in  inflicting  a  slight  flesh  wound 
upon  his  shoulder. 

The  fight,  however,  was  not  yet  at  an  end.  The 
indomitable  beast,  though  baffled,  returned  to  the  charge, 
if  possible  with  redoubled  determination. 

Wounded  as  it  was,  the  desperate  fall  it  had  received 
could  not  have  failed  to  affect  it  more  or  less  seriously. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  123 

It  left  a  little  pool  of  blood  where  it  had  landed.  It 
turned  and  looked  at  it,  as  a  man  might  have  done. 

At  first  it  seemed  ashamed  of  itself,  and  crept  off  a 
little  way,  —  then  retraced  its  steps. 

Hassan's  first  intention  was  to  seize  his  rifle  and  reload 
it.  But  the  renewed  attack  of  the  leopard  gave  him  no 
time  for  this.  He  also  knew  the  utter  inefficiency  of  the 
weapon  when  employed  as  a  bludgeon.  With  all  its 
strengthening  bands  of  brass,  the  first  blow  would  have 
broken  it  in  pieces,  while  inflicting  little  or  no  material  in 
jury  on  the  enemy.  He  was  therefore  driven  back  on  his 
sole  remaining  munition  of  defense  —  his  shepherd's  club. 

This  peculiar  club  is  a  short  stick  with  heavy  round 
knob,  formed  of  a  natural  knot  in  the  wood ;  and  from 
time  immemorial  it  has  been  the  implement  of  the 
shepherd  of  Palestine,  used  in  protecting  himself  and  his 
flock  when  in  danger.  It  was,  in  all  probability,  with 
such  a  weapon  as  this  that  David  slew  both  the  lion  and 
the  bear  when  he  kept  his  father's  sheep  at  Bethlehem, 
not  far  from  here,  as  so  graphically  narrated  by  him  to 
King  Saul. 

And  now  the  leopard  suddenly  paused,  as  if  it  had 
changed  its  tactics  ;  but  soon  began  approaching  Hassan 
more  cautiously  and  slowly,  walking  around  him,  and 
then  creeping  up  upon  him  gradually,  and  more  after 
its  usual  manner  of  attacking  and  taking  its  prey.  There 
was  a  fiend-like  glare  in  its  eyes.  Its  tail,  extended 
straight  to  its  full  length,  had  an  ominous  snaky  vibra 
tion  at  its  tip. 

In  the  first  instance,  the  pain  of  the  wound  and  Has 
san's  sudden  onslaught  had  infuriated  it  and  set  it  beside 
itself  with  rage.  There  was,  this  time,  the  characteristic 
cunning  and  stealthy  movement  peculiar  to  the  family, 
seen  in  its  action.  Withal,  there  was  a  decided  vinclic- 
tiveness  or  revenge  apparent  in  its  demeanour. 

The  creature  avoided  Hassan's  eye,  and  quailed  be 
fore  it. 

Its  richly-spotted  tawny  hide  was  brushed  by  the  grass 
and  small  shrubs,  which  partially  concealed  it;  and,  at 
times,  its  belly  almost  dragged  upon  the  ground,  as  it 
drew  fearfully  near. 


124  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Hassan's  heart  beat  fast,  but  he  held  his  ground  and 
kept  courage,  grasping  more  firmly  his  simple  weapon. 

When  within  a  few  paces,  the  crafty  feline  suddenly 
quickened  its  stride  to  a  run,  as  if  to  take  him  unawares, 
gathering  all  its  energies  to  make  the  supreme  spring. 

Whether  in  the  next  instant  Hassan  felt,  or,  in  the 
intenseness  of  his  deep  expectancy,  only  imagined  he 
felt,  the  tremendous  impact  of  that  furious  hairy  bulk, 
he  did  not  then  know,  though  the  effect  of  the  stunning 
shock  was  upon  him,  —  the  sinking  of  the  claws,  the 
fleshing  of  the  fangs,  the  death-grip,  —  for,  almost  sim 
ultaneously,  his  well-poised  club  had  descended  with 
extraordinary  force,  begotten  of  the  desperateness  of  his 
situation,  upon  the  head  of  the  leopard,  crushing  its 
skull. 

A  second  blow  immediately  followed.  It  was  the 
finishing  stroke. 

The  claws  relaxed ;  the  jaws  unclosed.  The  beauti 
ful  terror  lay  at  his  feet,  a  helpless  mass  of  tawny  hide, 
glistening  with  dark  clustering  spots  like  eyes. 

The  eyes  themselves  —  the  real  eyes,  fast  losing  their 
light,  as  they  glazed  and  changed  in  colour,  had  a  piti 
fully  inquiring  glance,  looking  out,  far  beyond  Hassan, 
as  if  seeking  the  mountain  ranges  where  lately  it  had 
roamed,  or  a  still  farther-off  land,  a  mysterious  bournless 
habitation  where  yet  it  might  have  life.  This  was  fol 
lowed  by  a  despairing,  disappointed  expression  in  them, 
such  as  is  so  often  seen  in  the  dying,  as  if  they  had  not 
found  what  they  sought. 

There  were  a  few  spasmodic  muscular  motions,  and 
several  unconscious  twitchings  of  the  splendid  skin  over 
sinews  and  parts  where  vitality  had  more  abundantly 
resided  and  now  clung  tenaciously,  and  the  lordly  beast 
stretched  his  proud  limbs  to  their  full  extent  for  the  last 
time. 

Soon  the  rigor  mortis  would  seize  them. 

The  life  had  gone  out.     But  whither? 

"Who  knoweth  the  spirit  of  man  whether  it  goeth 
upward,  and  the  spirit  of  the  beast  whether  it  goeth 
downward  to  the  earth?  "quoth  Solomon. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  125 


CHAPTER  XII 

HASSAN,  flinging  himself  on  the  ground  not  far 
from  the  dead  leopard,  lost  no  time  in  stanching 
and  binding  up  the  wounds  it  had,  while  living,  inflicted 
on  his  arm  and  shoulder,  he  tearing  off  a  strip  from  his 
kamis,  or  inner  cotton  garment,  for  the  purpose.  He 
also  attended  to  the  mauled  sheep.  The  injury  in  both 
cases  fortunately  was  of  a  far  less  serious  character  than 
appearances  indicated,  and  he  congratulated  himself  on 
escaping  so  easily  from  so  dangerous  a  foe. 

By  this  time  it  was  broad  daylight,  though  the  sun 
had  not  yet  risen  above  the  hills,  and  the  eastern  sky 
was  all-glorious  with  crimson  and  gold,  especially  at  the 
point  where  the  god  of  day  might  be  expected  to 
appear. 

The  sunrises  in  Palestine  are  almost  as  beautiful  and 
rich  in  colour  as  the  sunsets  of  other  countries. 

Drawing  his  knife  from  its  sheath,  Hassan  immediately 
commenced  to  strip  the  hide  from  the  yet  warm  carcass 
of  the  beast.  This  he  accomplished  in  a  remarkably 
short  space  of  time. 

He  then  withdrew  to  a  small  pool  among  the  rocks, 
fed  by  a  rill  from  the  cliffs.  Laying  aside  his  garments, 
he  washed  the  bloody  stains  from  his  limbs,  and  then 
bathed  his  body,  completing  the  washing  of  particular 
parts  according  to  the  ceremonial  prescribed  by  the 
Moslem  religion  known  as  the  wudoo,  and  considered 
absolutely  necessary  preparatory  to  prayer,  as  without 
this  cleansing,  it  teaches,  no  prayer  is  acceptable  to  God. 

This  ablution,  cl-wudoo,  is  far  from  being  the  perfunc 
tory  act  it  is  sometimes  represented  as  being.  It  is,  in 
fact,  a  religious  purification,  carried  out  carefully  in  the 
most  particular  and  elaborate  manner.  Any  of  the  parts 
of  the  body  which,  intentionally  or  unintentionally,  have 
been  exposed  to  pollution  receive  the  most  special  atten 
tion  in  the  cleansing,  which  invariably  includes  the  mouth, 
nostrils  and  ears  (each  being  rinsed  out  three  times),  as 
well  as  the  face,  neck,  head,  hands  and  arms,  and  the  feet 


Hassan:  a  Fellah 

and  legs.  Appropriate  prayers  are  used  while  each  mem 
ber  or  organ  is  purified,  and  when  the  entire  act  is  com 
pleted  the  regular  prayer  is  entered  on.  This  chiefly 
consists  of  the  recitation  of  the  "  Soorat  el-Kadr"  —  the 
celebrated  chapter  of  the  Koran  so  entitled,  with  the 
universal  preface :  "  In  the  name  of  the  most  merciful 
God."  This  chapter,  which,  it  may  be  stated,  is  ex 
ceedingly  brief,  is  sometimes  recited  twice  or  thrice.  It 
closes  with  the  beautiful  words :  "  It  is  peace  till  the 
rising  of  the  morn."  But,  it  must  be  confessed,  there 
is  little  or  nothing  about  it  of  what  strictly  could  be 
considered  prayer. 

Though  some  Moslems  may  prove  careless  in  regard 
to  their  prayers,  and  neglect  them,  there  are  certain  par 
tial  washings  or  purifications  which,  though  not  essen 
tially  pertaining  to  prayer,  are  regarded  as  acts  of 
devotion,  and  which  are  regularly  performed  by  all  the 
men,  on  occasion.  This  guarantees  a  personal  cleanli 
ness  on  the  part  of  the  followers  of  Mohammed,  which 
is  unquestionably  an  admirable  feature.  They  and  the 
Englishman  are  the  great  bathing  animals. 

Hassan,  having  no  seggadeh  or  prayer-carpet,  nor 
even  a  mat,  spread  his  abai  as  a  substitute,  as  is  often 
done,  and  had  soon  finished  his  devotions  to  his  full  satis 
faction. 

He  then  entered  on  the  discussion  of  his  frugal  morn 
ing  meal,  which  consisted  chiefly  of  a  cake  or  two  of 
brown  bread,  with  cheese,  olives,  and  a  few  dried  figs, 
regarded  as  a  sumptuous  repast  by  the  ordinary  inhabi 
tant,  and  for  which  Hassan's  unwonted  exercise  and  cold 
bath  had  given  him  an  excellent  appetite.  His  only 
drink  was  from  the  clear,  sparkling  spring  gushing  from 
the  rock.  He  had  not,  in  all  his  life,  touched  wine  or 
arack.  The  beauty  of  his  perfectly-kept  body  was  an 
openly  triumphant  testimony  that  he  had  never  been 
bitten  by  that  serpent,  nor  stung  by  that  adder  —  strong 
drink.  But  drunkenness  is  scarcely  ever  seen  among 
the  natives  —  especially  the  peasants. 

There  was  something  uncommonly  agreeable  in  the 
fresh,  young  face  that  he  turned  toward  the  morning  sun 
with  the  ejaculation  upon  his  lips:  "  Praise  be  to  Allah, 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  127 

the  All-Merciful !  "  It  was  full  of  the  uncontaminated 
strengths  of  exuberant  manhood ;  and,  as  has  been  pre 
viously  hinted,  the  very  redundance  of  the  masculine 
was  the  first  impression  conveyed  by  him.  His  natural 
forces  unimpaired,  there  was  a  genial  ease  allied  to  a 
boyish  simplicity  in  every  expression  of  his  face  and  in 
all  his  movements  that  was  more  convincing  as  to  his 
true  character  than  a  score  of  accusations  could  pos 
sibly  be. 

Yet  there  were  those  who  had  no  good  opinion  of 
him,  and  spoke  all  manner  of  evil  of  him.  They  charged 
him  with  all  sorts  of  frailties  and  irregularities,  and  had 
what  they  considered  convincing  facts  and  statements  in 
support  of  their  assertions. 

But  we  have  not  claimed  him  to  be  an  angel  or  a 
saint.  Are  not  such  exalted  personages  exceedingly 
scarce  upon  the  earth,  if  they  are,  at  all,  to  be  found 
there  ?  He  was,  like  the  rest  of  us,  only  a  man  ;  and,  no 
doubt,  full  of  a  man's  imperfections  and  shortcomings; 
and,  as  far  as  seraphic  goodness  is  concerned,  without 
the  least  title  to  it.  Still,  as  compared  with  his  censors, 
judged  from  this  standpoint,  he  was  no  worse  than  they 
were,  in  the  sight  of  his  Creator,  and  was  far  more  of  a 
man. 

Let  there  be  no  mistake  upon  the  subject.  This  is  no 
defence  of  vice.  It  is  not  vice.  It  is  nature.  Also,  it 
is  not  pretended  that  the  natives  of  the  land  are  not 
without  certain  manners  and  customs,  habits  and  doings 
which,  in  a  people  so  natural,  and  so  largely  primitive, 
are  relatively  only  impulsive,  careless,  and  almost  to  be 
expected,  but  which  would  be  undoubtedly  out  of  place, 
inexcusable,  and  gross,  in  a  highly  civilised  community. 
Immemorial  usage,  too,  has  sanctioned  among  the  peas 
antry,  from  ancient  Bible  times,  many  of  those  practices, 
while  the  great  mass  of  them  are  far  older  than  any 
thing  which  we  are  accustomed  to  term  habit,  and  are 
one  with  the  natural  instinct  and  affections.  In  other 
words,  what  might  be  called  their  sins  were  to  them 
comparatively  no  sins.  To  palliate  an  offence,  however, 
does  not.  justify  it. 

Scarcely  had  Hassan  spread  the  food  before  him  and 


128  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

commenced  to  eat,  when  a  slight  rustling  in  the  grass 
and  shrubs  attracted  his  attention  and  caused  him  to  turn 
his  head  in  the  direction  of  the  sound.  It  was  made  by 
Hilwe,  who  was  close  at  hand,  having  stolen  upon  him 
from  behind.  She  had  eluded  the  vigilance  of  her  com 
panions,  coming  by  a  way  he  had  not  expected,  and 
arriving  much  sooner  than  he  had  dared  to  hope  for. 

She  carried  on  her  shoulder,  supported  by  one  hand, 
a  small  earthen  vessel,  a  jar  of  the  common  pottery 
of  the  country;  and  it  greatly  pleased  her  to  think 
that,  with  all  his  superior  acumen,  and  that  peculiar 
and  exquisite  perception  of  the  presence  of  another 
under  the  most  unlikely  circumstances,  characteristic 
of  the  race,  she  had  managed  to  surprise  him,  and 
come  upon  him  unawares. 

Could  it  be  that  through  the  exercise  of  the  oppos 
ing  desire  she  had  brought  this  to  pass?  She  had 
wished  to  steal  upon  him,  to  shock  him  with  happiness. 

Her  face  was  radiant  with  the  joy  of  meeting  him, 
which  she  utterly  failed  to  conceal,  and  which,  it  is 
hardly  necessary  to  say,  drew  from  him  more  than  one 
answering  heart-throb. 

Instantly  springing  to  his  feet,  he  advanced  to  meet 
her,  and  caught  her  to  him  in  an  irrepressible  embrace, 
and  with  many  a  warm  salutation. 

Hilwe  had  a  peculiar  beauty  of  her  own  which  was 
not  of  the  common  order,  and  was  almost  rare  among 
her  people.  True,  the  young  peasant  girls  of  Palestine 
are  frequently  good-looking,  and  sometimes  quite  hand 
some,  though  in  this  respect  they  may,  in  general,  be 
said  to  be  inferior  to  the  men.  But  the  life  of  hard 
ship  which  they  lead,  and  which  is  the  recognised  lot 
of  the  female  of  the  land,  soon  makes  old  hags  of  them. 
It  is  exceptional  to  see  a  fine-looking  woman  of  ad 
vanced  or  even  middle  age  outside  of  the  limits  of 
Bethlehem  or  Nazareth. 

Fromentin  has  declared  that,  among  all  peoples,  the 
man  is  unquestionably  the  handsomer  animal. 

He  may  be  correct  in  this.  Probably  he  is,  at  least, 
not  far  from  the  truth  in  his  statement;  though,  as  a 
general  thing,  all  sweeping  assertions  require  qualifica- 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  129 

tion.  Certain  it  is,  however,  that  the  idea  has  taken 
root;  and,  moreover,  it  would  appear  that,  so  far  as 
the  presentation  of  the  sexes  in  sculpture  is  concerned, 
it  is  no  very  new  idea,  but  that  the  ancient  masters 
had  a  decided  leaning  in  the  same  direction,  and  in  their 
more  glorious  conceptions  and  masterpieces  chiefly  se 
lected  the  male  as  their  subject  rather  than  the  female. 

It  is  doubtful  that  any  one  of  reasonably  artistic  cul 
ture  can  visit  the  collection  of  statuary  in  any  of  the 
great  art  galleries  of  the  world  without  perceiving  and 
admitting  the  vast  superiority  of  the  male  as  compared 
with  the  female  in  all  that  is  accepted  as  consisting  of 
the  leading  excellencies  that  go  to  make  up  that  mag 
nificent  creation,  the  human  being.  Who,  for  instance 
can  turn  from  the  Apollo  Belvedere,  the  Hermes  of 
Praxiteles,  the  David  of  Michael  Angelo,  or  the  Dying 
Gaul,  to  the  Venus  de'  Medici,  the  renowned  Niobe,  or 
even  the  great  Victory,  and  the  many  Minervas,  with 
out  experiencing  a  feeling  of  loss,  of  disappointment,  of 
a  descent  to  the  inferior  ? 

No  wonder  he  feels  ready  to  exclaim  that  he  has 
hitherto  been  laboring  under  a  mistake,  and  that  the 
man,  and  not  the  woman,  is  the  more  beautiful  animal. 

But  even  Fromentin  himself  would,  I  believe,  hesi 
tate,  in  the  presence  of  Hilwe,  in  giving  such  a  decision, 
notwithstanding  the  superb  endowment  of  all  the  manly 
attributes  presented  in  the  person  of  Hassan.  The 
truth  was,  as  we  have  already  shown,  she  excelled  in 
her  own  as  he  did  in  his  own  sphere,  each  reflecting 
and  yet  heightening  the  beauty  of  the  other — a  marvel 
lous  duality  in  unity. 

This  is  the  answer  to  the  entire  controversy. 

They  were  made  for  each  other.  The  two  made  one. 
It  would  have  been  a  sin  against  nature  to  have  separ 
ated  them. 

Let  us  contemplate  it  —  the  beautiful  dual  creation. 
Nature  in  her  fearless  joy  and  strength,  conceiving  — 
moulding.  Should  not  all  men  and  women  be,  in  this, 
like  Hassan  and  Hilwe?  Is  it  not  a  revelation  of  the 
Divine  thought?  Male  and  female  created  he  them, 
throughout  the  universe. 


130  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Exceptional  mention  has  been  made  of  Nazareth  and 
Bethlehem.  The  women  of  those  towns  have  long  been 
noted  for  their  extraordinary  beauty.  In  explanation, 
they  boast  of  crusader  descent,  and  doubtless  can 
rightfully  claim  an  infusion  of  some  of  the  best  blood 
in  Europe.  A  mixture  of  bloods,  if  good,  improves 
the  breed. 

It  would  have  been  next  to  impossible  that  men  of 
the  type  and  well-known  character  of  those  valiant  yet 
far  from  immaculate  soldiers  of  the  cross  could  have 
lived  as  long  in  the  country  as  they  had  done,  its 
lords  and  masters,  without  leaving  some  of  their  seed 
behind  them.  Indeed  we  have  record  of  the  marriages 
of  some  of  the  leaders  to  Armenian,  Syrian,  and  even 
Saracen  women. 

There  is  no  question  too  that  in  certain  places  in 
Palestine  and  Syria  there  is  much  Italian  blood,  due  to 
the  early  connection  of  the  Holy  Land  with  Italy,  not 
only  under  the  Romans,  who  have  left  their  indelible 
marks  upon  the  country  in  many  ways,  such  as  in  the 
names  of  the  places,  the  massive  pavements,  the  bridges, 
aqueducts  and  roadways  that  cover  its  face,  and  their 
very  coinage  with  which  the  soil  is  sown ;  but  also,  in 
later  times,  when  the  Genoese  came  on  their  trading 
expeditions,  and  the  Venetians,  under  their  Doges,  had 
such  intimate  relations  with  the  Christian  inhabitants, 
and  lent  material  aid  to  them  against  their  infidel  op 
pressors.  In  gratitude  for  this  last  had  not  the  Italians 
been  allotted  streets  in  the  towns  of  Palestine?  And, 
to  this  day,  are  not  the  silver  coins  of  Venice  dug  up 
among  the  ruins  of  Samaria?  The  preservation  of  the 
Italian  language  among  some  of  the  old  families,  resi 
dents  of  the  land  for  hundreds  of  years,  their  features 
and  habits,  even  the  very  patronymics  they  bear,  con 
tribute  to  evidences  of  their  descent  past  gainsaying. 

What  a  wonderful  romance  lies  behind  some  of  those 
faces  that  one  meets  in  Palestine !  The  mystery  of 
mysteries  is  there.  The  spectre  of  the  hidden  and 
obscure  past  makes  itself  seen  and  felt  for  an  instant ; 
sometimes,  in  the  flash  of  an  eye,  sometimes  in  the 
curve  of  the  lip,  the  distension  of  the  sensitive  nostril, 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  131 

or  the  carriage  of  the  head.  The  very  motions  of  the 
body,  the  movements  of  an  arm  or  foot,  the  erect, 
proud  bearing,  or  the  graceful,  courtly  salutation,  re 
veal  weird  glimpses  of  a  period  full  of  fantastic  action, 
before  which  imagination,  falls  prostrate,  dumb  and 
transfixed  with  amazement,  outdone  and  conquered  by 
the  reality.  Nothing  is  impossible  under  the  condi 
tions,  nothing  too  improbable  to  have  happened. 
What  blood,  what  history  lies  concealed !  Who  can 
know? 

Malha,  the  village  where  Hilwe  was  born,  and  where 
she  lived,  is  not  far  from  Bethlehem.  There  must,  at 
first,  have  been,  for  generations,  more  or  less  intercourse 
between  the  people  of  the  two  places.  How  intimate  ? 
Perhaps  to  the  extent  of  intermarriage.  Could  Hilwe's 
charms  be  thus  accounted  for?  Who  can  tell?  In 
later  days,  Malha,  with  positive  truth,  could  claim  the 
Circassian  infusion.  Hence,  it  might  be,  those  planta 
tions  of  roses  for  the  making  of  rose-water.  Hence, 
possibly,  Hilwe's  beauty.  Hence,  also,  perhaps,  the 
origin  of  the  blood-feud  with  Bettir,  that  remorseless 
shadow  of  an  inexpiable  wrong,  the  genesis  of  which  — 
the  very  nature  of  which  —  no  man  of  either  village 
could  describe  or  even  hint  at  with  anything  like 
positiveness. 

Nevertheless,  as  we  have  seen,  the  feud  —  this  colos 
sal  shade  or  ghost  —  spite  of  its  occult  origin,  stalked 
abroad  in  the  land,  a  very  perceptible  power  for  evil ; 
like  many  another  impersonated  wrong,  inheriting, 
through  long  lines  of  descent,  an  accumulated  preroga 
tive,  all  the  more  difficult  to  contend  with  on  account 
of  a  certain  intangibility  which  characterized  it. 

Hassan,  having  returned  to  his  simple  repast,  at 
which  he  had  been  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  Hilwe, 
invited  the  latter  to  join  him  in  eating.  But  inexorable 
custom,  as  he  well  knew,  was  as  yet  too  strong  in  her 
to  permit  her  to  comply.  Besides,  she  had  already 
eaten  before  leaving  the  house.  No  doubt  she  pre 
ferred  waiting  on  him,  according  to  the  habit  of  the 
Oriental;  and,  there  is  no  question,  she  took  a  greater 
pleasure  in  serving  him,  and  in  watching  him  eat  and 


Hassan:  a  Fellah 

relish  the  food,  than  she  would  have  done  in  partici 
pating  in  the  meal. 

There  are  other  women  than  those  of  the  Orient 
whose  chief  pleasure  is  to  be  the  slaves  of  the  men 
they  love. 

She  immediately  commenced  unfastening  the  cover 
of  the  small  jar  she  had  conveyed,  and  soon  disclosed 
the  contents. 

"  I  have  brought  thee  some  lebban,"  she  said.  "  It 
is  of  my  own  making,  and  such  as  I  know  thou  lovest." 

She  next  opened  a  small  package  of  cotton  cloth. 

"  And  here  are  a  few  of  the  best  olives,"  she  added, 
"  also  prepared  by  me." 

While  he  did  not  neglect  to  express  his  gratification 
and  thanks,  she  poured  into  a  bowl-like  dish,  for  his 
use,  a  goodly  portion  of  the  lebban,  which  is  a  comesti 
ble  resembling  clotted  cream,  prepared  in  a  peculiar 
manner  from  specially  fermented  new  milk,  and  having 
an  agreeable  acid  or  lemon  flavour. 

It  has  been  known  in  Palestine  from  the  most  ancient 
times.  Butter  is  not  used  by  the  natives  of  the  land ; 
and  as  the  making  of  it  was  an  unknown  art  to  them, 
there  can  be  little  hesitation  in  believing  that  where  the 
word  butter  is  employed  in  our  translation  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  lebban  is  meant.  Thus,  for  instance,  it  was 
lebban,  and  not  "  butter  in  a  lordly  dish,"  which  Jael 
gave  to  Sisera,  that  ill-fated  captain  of  the  Canaanite 
army,  whom  she  had  cunningly  inveigled  into  her  tent, 
and  whom,  after  hospitably  entertaining  him,  she  so 
ruthlessly  murdered  while  he  slept. 

Hassan  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  the  refreshing 
and  palatable  qualities  of  the  lebban,  insisting  on  Hilwe 
partaking  of  it. 

"  It  is,  indeed,  such  as  my  soul  loveth,"  he  said. 
"  Verily  thou  art  as  the  wise  woman,  who  looketh  well 
to  the  ways  of  her  household,  and  eateth  not  the  bread 
of  idleness." 

From  time  to  time  he  would  select  some  choice  por 
tion  of  the  food,  and  put  it  into  her  mouth.  This  is 
always  considered  a  delicate  attention  on  the  part  of 
the  host  to  the  man  who  is  his  guest;  though  of  course 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

it  is  not  practised  toward  women,  as  they  do  not  eat 
with  the  men.  It  was  therefore  an  exceptionally  affec 
tionate  act  on  the  part  of  the  young  shepherd,  and  was 
so  felt  by  Hilwe. 

At  the  close  of  the  meal,  as  she  brought  him  water 
for  the  usual  washing  of  the  hands,  Hassan,  bending 
that  she  might  pour  it  over  them  in  performing  the 
ablution,  accidentally  disarranged  his  garment,  which 
slipped  aside,  so  as  to  show  the  wounded  arm  and 
shoulder  which  he  had  rather  clumsily  bandaged. 

"  Thou  art  wounded,"  exclaimed  Hilwe,  at  once  per 
ceiving  the  blood-stained  cloth.  "  What  mischief  hath 
happened  to  thee  ?  " 

Hassan,  with  the  proud  reticence  of  the  native,  had 
said  nothing  to  Hilwe  of  his  wounded  condition  or  as  to 
his  conflict,  and  his  victory  over  the  leopard.  He  was 
keeping  it  in  reserve  for  her. 

"  I  fear  thou  art  grievously  injured.  Why  hast  thou 
not  told  me?  And  what  has  brought  upon  thee  this 
evil?" 

Hassan,  after  having  deprived  the  dead  beast  of  its 
skin,  had  dragged  the  body  a  good  way  off,  where  it  was 
quite  out  of  sight,  and  where  already  the  eagles,  vultures 
and  ravens  of  the  valley  were  gathering  to  devour  the 
carcass.  Thus  the  rapacious  land  carnivora  are  des 
tined  to  be  the  prey  of  the  carnivora  of  the  air,  and  the 
mighty  eater  itself  at  last  would  be  eaten.  The  skin, 
the  hunter's  trophy,  he  had  hung  upon  a  bush  to  which, 
it  had  happened,  Hilwe's  back  was  turned,  so  that  she 
had  not  observed  it. 

Hassan  was  touched  by  her  solicitude;  but  he  main 
tained  his  conventional  gravity. 

"  Behold,"  he  simply  answered,  pointing  out  the  bril 
liant,  spotted  skin. 

Turning,  she  directed  her  gaze  to  the  place  indicated, 
and  great  was  her  amazement  as  she  saw  what  had 
lately  been  the  garment  of  the  ravenous  pard,  hanging 
from  the  shrub. 

They  both  hastened  towards  it. 

"  And  thou  hast  slain  it !  "  she  cried  admiringly. 

"  Verily  and  indeed.     It  is  even  so," 


Hassan:  a  Fellah 

"  And  thy  life  was  in  peril." 

"  Perhaps." 

"  And  \  knew  it  not.  And  you  kept  silence,  all  this 
while." 

Hassan  smiled  proudly,  looking  uncommonly  hand 
some  before  the  woman  he  loved. 

"  It  was  a  powerful  beast,"  he  said,  "  and  fought 
bravely." 

"  What  terrible  fangs  and  claws  it  has !  It  might 
have  rent  thee  in  pieces." 

"  Ay.     But  I  had  to  save  my  sheep,"  was  his  reply. 

"Tell  me  about  it.  Wilt  thou  not  tell  me  how  it 
happened?" 

And  forthwith  Hassan  related  to  her  the  story  of  the 
combat,  as  we  already  know  it. 

"But  art  thou  not  sorely  wounded?"  she  asked,  in 
terrupting  him. 

"  No,  no.     It  is  nothing,"  he  assured  her. 

But  she  would  not  be  satisfied  till  she  had  seen  and 
properly  bound  up  the  wounds,  which,  from  their  posi 
tion,  Hassan  had  not  been  able  to  succeed  in  doing. 

"  I  am  sure  this  must  be  the  wild  beast  which  has 
been  slaying  and  devouring  the  sheep  of  my  uncle 
Ismail  and  the  sheik,  and  of  Abd-el-nour,"  she  re 
marked.  "They  have  lost  several  lately;  and  many 
others  have  been  killed  beyond  the  farther  side  of  the 
hill  to  the  west,  as  they  have  told  us." 

This  was  news  to  Hassan ;  and,  with  his  inventive 
mind,  it  did  not  fail  to  suggest  a  certain  opportunity 
to  him. 

Why  should  not  his  achievement  —  his  delivering 
them  from  this  fierce  destructive  enemy — give  him 
grace,  render  him  acceptable  in  the  eyes  of  Hilwe's 
uncle,  and,  indeed,  of  all  the  people  of  Malha? 

He  communicated  the  thought  to  Hilwe.  They  both 
agreed  it  was  the  hand  of  Allah,  interposing  in  their 
behalf,  and  that  it  should  be  acted  upon  without 
delay. 

Hassan  commenced  at  once  brushing  and  preparing 
the  skin,  while  doing  so  making  an  occasional  remark 
to  Hilwe  regarding  his  purposed  action. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  135 

It  was  evident  he  was  thoroughly  aroused  in  carry 
ing  out  his  design.  He  intended  it  should  be  no 
half-hearted  business.  He  should  now  openly  declare 
himself. 

Though  Hilwe  had  acquiesced  in  Hassan's  proposi 
tion  as  generally  expressed,  when  it  came  to  the  point, 
and  the  statement  of  details,  she  paused,  hesitating 
and  silent. 

"  I  shall  carry  the  skin  with  me  up  into  Malha,"  he 
said,  "  and  shall  see  the  sheik  and  thy  uncle  Ismail, 
and  set  my  cause  before  them,  come  what  may." 

She  heard  and  trembled,  knowing  the  danger,  and 
dreading  the  consequences.  She  shrank  from  the  final 
issue,  when  thus  presented  to  her,  even  though  she, 
herself,  was  but  a  passive  agent  in  the  transaction. 

Knowing  but  too  well  the  deadly  rancour  of  the  Thar, 
she  even  feared  for  Hassan's  safety  —  his  very  life  — 
should  he  venture  to  enter  Malha  without  some  per 
vious  special  guarantee,  such  as  the  permission  of  the 
sheik,  or  under  the  protection  of  some  man  in  author 
ity,  or  one  held  in  high  esteem  of  the  people. 

Something  of  this  she  presently  tried  to  express. 

"Art  thou  not  venturing  much?"  she  asked  with 
anxious  lifted  eye.  "  Art  thou  not  taking  thy  life  in 
thy  hand?" 

"  Nay,  nay." 

She  failed  to  convince  or  even  moderately  impress 
Hassan  with  her  views,  which  he  put  down  to  womanish 
dread  —  overdue  caution. 

"  Fear  not,  Hilwe,"  he  replied ;  "  I  have  counted  the 
cost,  and  taken  thought  of  what  thou  sayest,  as  well  as 
counsel  of  my  heart." 

No;  he  was  coming  to  Malha  under  such  peculiar 
circumstances,  in  such  friendly  guise,  as  their  deliverer 
from  a  dangerous  and  destructive  foe  which  had  done 
them  such  serious  injury,  he  felt  surely  he  was  secure  of 
immunity  from  harm  to  his  person,  if  only  out  of  com 
mon  gratitude  for  what  he  had  done ;  and,  though  he 
might  not  be  successful  in  his  object,  he  at  least  would 
be  suffered  to  come  and  go  in  peace. 

She  then  reminded  him  of  Kadra's  failure  in  his  be- 


136  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

half.  How,  though  she  had  kept  her  promise,  and 
acted  as  his  go-between,  and  "  spoken  sweet  words  for 
him,"  so  far  from  advancing  his  cause,  notwithstanding 
the  feast  she  had  made  for  all  her  acquaintances  and 
friends  with  the  sheep  he  had  given  her,  she  had  only 
succeeded  in  rendering  herself  more  unpopular  than 
ever,  and  was  now  regarded  by  many  of  the  villagers 
almost  in  the  light  of  a  traitor  and  a  spy. 

But  Hilwe  tenderly  refrained  from  telling  Hassan  the 
evil  things  they  said  of  him. 

"  There  are  many  ways  of  reaching  an  object  without 
going  to  it  directly,"  he  simply  replied.  "  Thou  canst 
trust  me ;  I  know  what  I  am  about." 

After  this  Hilwe  could  offer  no  further  remonstrance. 

"  Peradventure  I  am  over-anxious  for  thy  safety,"  she 
said  with  a  sigh. 

Hassan  smiled  confidently,  that  deep  gentle  smile  of 
the  man  satisfied  with  the  love  of  the  woman  he  has 
chosen,  and  on  whom  he  has  bestowed  his  affections. 

"  Doubtless  it  is  even  as  thou  sayest.  Thy  love 
maketh  thee  overmuch  jealous  and  careful  for  me. 
Nevertheless  I  blame  thee  not.  Why  should  I?  But 
take  courage.  All  will  be  well  with  thee  and  me." 

"Wilt  thou  take  no  one  with  thee?"  she  asked. 

"  I  shall  take  Chalil,  as  a  witness  and  companion,"  he 
answered.  "  He  is  even  as  my  brother  —  my  own 
self." 

He  spoke  with  so  much  assurance  that  she  could  not 
but  feel  a  responsive  chord  reverberate  within  her,  and 
smiled  back  at  him. 

It  is  of  the  nature  of  things  that  those  who  have  con 
fidence  in  themselves  inspire  with  a  similar  feeling  those 
with  whom  they  are  brought  in  contact.  Hilwe's  dis 
trust  was  greatly  relieved,  if  not  altogether  removed,  by 
the  brave  words  and  manner  of  Hassan ;  and  she  so  far 
responded  to  his  advice  as,  at  length,  to  become  imbued 
with  somewhat  of  his  spirit  and  hopeful  of  his  success. 

From  the  beginning  —  from  the  first  breath  of  love 
between  them,  the  man,  if  worthy  of  the  name,  is  the 
creator  of  the  woman  who  lives  with  him  to  be  his  help 
mate.  This  is,  doubtless,  in  some  degree  what  is  sym- 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  137 

bolised  by  the  sweet  old  story  that  she  was  taken  out 
of  his  side  —  from  beneath  his  heart.  Day  by  day, 
month  by  month  the  action  deepens  and  intensifies. 
From  the  moment  that  his  blood  begins  to  circulate 
within  her,  and  she  becomes,  in  prospectu,  the  mother 
of  his  child,  the  divine  process  is  inaugurated  which 
makes  her  blood  of  his  blood,  bone  of  his  bone,  and 
flesh  of  his  flesh. 

This  is  one  of  the  great  and  holy  mysteries  of  Nature, 
which  seems  of  almost  miraculous  essence,  linking  us 
with  the  eternal  —  holding  us  within  the  revolving,  evo 
lutional  cycles  of  everlasting  life  —  that  which  is,  ever 
has  been,  and  ever  will  be. 

Yet  it  is  no  more  wonderful  than  thousands  of  the 
simple  acts  which  are  continually  occurring  around  us, 
on  every  side,  each  day.  It  is  only  ignorance  which 
makes  anything  miraculous  or  wonderful. 

So  Hilwe  already  began  to  feel  the  controlling  influ 
ence  of  the  man  who  had  gained  her  heart,  and  who 
had  given  her  his  heart.  The  gentle  yet  powerful  obe 
dience  of  pure  love  was  working  within  her  and  she 
calmed  her  fears,  and  was  glad  that  she  had  a  faithful 
breast  and  a  stronger  arm  than  her  own  to  lean  on. 

"  It  is  time  I  were  returning  whence  I  came,"  she 
said  presently,  "  lest  my  companions  miss  me,  and 
come  seeking  me." 

"  Perhaps  it  is  as  well,"  he  agreed,  "  as  also  there  is 
much  before  us  to  do." 

He  bade  her  a  very  tender  good-bye,  pressing  her  to 
him,  and  speaking  words  even  kinder  and  warmer  than 
his  wont. 

She  received  all  his  loving  demonstrations  with  ex 
treme  modesty,  a  passive,  pure  devotion  of  inexpres 
sible  womanliness  which  said,  "  I  am  thine."  The 
virgin  daughter  of  the  Judaean  hills  had  kept  her  chaste 
loveliness  undefiled.  It  was  with  these  two  as  when 
one  rose  bends  over  another  rose  kissing  it,  or  the 
pale  purple  asphodels  of  Mount  Hermon,  on  their  tall 
slender  stalks,  shaken  by  the  wind,  cling  together,  and 
mingle  their  breath  for  the  space  of  a  sweet  moment. 

"  I  have  gathered  and  bound  the  brush  for  thee,"  he 


138  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

said,  just  as  they  were  parting.  "  Thou  wilt  find  it  near 
the  Giant  Rock  beyond  the  great  terebinth,  in  the  place 
thou  knowest,  and  where  I  have  left  it  that  thou  mayest 
not  have  far  to  carry  it." 

"  Allah  preserve  and  bless  thee,"  she  exclaimed, 
"  for  all  thy  goodness  and  lovingkindness  to  me.  It  is 
no  little  thing  this  that  thou  hast  done,  with  the  care  of 
the  sheep  upon  thee  too." 

But  he  would  not  let  her  make  much  of  it. 

"  It  is  as  nothing  for  the  love  I  bear  thee,"  he  said. 
"  Gladly,  if  need  be,  would  I  serve  seven  years  for  thee, 
even  as  Yacoob  served  for  Rakel.  They  would  be  to 
me  but  a  few  days,  for  the  love  I  have  to  thee." 

So  they  parted,  and  she  went  her  way,  though  look 
ing  back  more  than  once  to  catch  the  last  glimpse  of 
him,  her  heart  beating  fast  and  warm. 

"  Verily,  she  is  the  married  woman  whom  her  hus 
band  loves,"  she  said. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

AS  soon  as  Hilwe  had  departed,  Hassan  turned  and 
took  the  leopard's  skin  and,  folding  it  compactly, 
hid  it  in  a  secure  spot,  in  a  cleft  of  the  rock,  —  a  place 
also  affording  concealment  for  his  rifle. 

He  then  proceeded,  in  haste,  to  gather  his  sheep  once 
more  within  the  inclosure ;  for  meanwhile  he  had 
watered  them  and  let  them  loose  to  feed  outside  on  the 
slopes  where  now  the  grass  was  abundant.  This  he  did 
in  comparatively  a  brief  space  of  time,  and  carefully 
closed  the  entrance  with  stones  and  broken  rock. 

The  day  was  already  well  advanced  as  he  deliberately 
took  the  way  along  the  mountain  side  in  the  direction  of 
Bettir. 

He  presently  struck  into  a  narrow  path,  well  known  to 
him,  for  he  and  his  sheep  had  traversed  it  many  a  time, 
passing  to  and  fro  between  the  village  and  the  pastures. 

Like  most  of  the  country  paths,  it  was  rough  and  ill- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  139 

defined  in  several  places,  and  often  diverged  to  avoid  the 
vast  blocks  of  stone  —  the  huge  masses  of  rock  which  had 
broken  loose  and  had  rolled  down  from  the  adjacent 
cliffs,  under  the  shelter  of  which  it  ran  for  the  principal 
part  of  the  way. 

But  it  all  was  such  familiar  ground  to  him,  he  could 
have  walked  over  it  in  the  night,  as,  indeed,  he  not 
seldom  had  done ;  and  his  rapid  strides  soon  brought 
him  to  that  part  of  the  hillside  directly  opposite  to 
Bettir. 

It  was  an  attractive  sight  which  spread  before  him.  In 
the  clear  air,  the  thickly-clustered  houses  of  the  village, 
gathered  together  for  protection  on  their  craggy  heights, 
as  is  usual  in  this  country,  looked  so  near  they  seemed 
close  at  hand.  Yet  the  slopes  of  the  hills  on  each  side, 
and  the  entire  breadth  of  the  valley,  with  its  gardens  and 
fields,  its  fig  orchards,  pomegranate  thickets,  olive  groves, 
and  vineyards  stretched  between,  with  oranges,  citrons, 
limes  and  lemons  in  sheltered  places,  and  almonds  and 
apricots  in  abundance. 

On  this  bright,  pleasant  day  how  serenely  fair  they 
appeared !  In  all  Palestine,  there  are  no  better-kept 
gardens.  Looking  down  on  them,  near  by,  not  a  weed, 
nor  intrusive  blade  of  grass  could  be  detected  among  the 
legitimate  crops,  which  showed  other  evidences  of  faith 
ful  culture,  and  were  well  watered. 

Ah,  that  last  is  the  secret,  the  great  necessity,  in  the 
production  of  fine  crops  in  this  ancient  land  —  irrigation 
—  abundance  of  water  !  Here  it  poured  out  in  a  flood  — 
a  river  of  delight  —  from  the  rocks  on  which  the  village 
stood,  rushing  strong  and  swift,  like  a  stream  of  liquid 
silver,  in  the  sun. 

Water,  living  water !  What  a  rarely  sweet  and  pure 
creature  of  God  it  is !  cleansing,  cooling,  refreshing, 
stimulating,  fertilising  —  emblem  of  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
Regeneration  —  the  Comforter  —  the  giver  of  the  Life 
Indeed  ! 

The  rich  volume  of  water  is  carried  in  a  high,  sloping 
aqueduct  of  solid  masonry  across  the  roadway  imme 
diately  below  Bettir,  spanning  it  in  a  single  arch,  in  the 
shade  and  moisture  of  which  grow  countless  sprays, 


140  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

fronds  and  tufts  of  maidenhair  fern  in  great  luxuriance  — 
a  greenery  of  gladness.  Separated,  after  its  triumphal 
leap  overhead,  into  many  divisions,  by  numerous  smaller 
conduits,  the  water  is  gradually  brought  down  to  the 
gardens,  fields,  and  orchards  below,  through  which  it 
is  conducted  in  innumerable  rills  that  in  those  lower 
grounds,  like  Siloam's  waters,  "  go  softly,"  rippling  and 
singing  on  their  way. 

Hassan  might  well  and  truly  say,  as  he  did  declare, 
in  his  simple,  gentle  language  to  Hilwe :  "  There  is 
plenty  of  water  at  Bettir.  Thou  hast  not  to  go  far  to 
draw  it." 

As  he  now  stood  on  the  opposite  hillside,  and  gazed 
on  the  peaceful  scene,  his  heart  warmed  and  swelled 
with  the  tenderest  emotions.  It  was  his  home  —  his 
beautiful  home.  From  the  point  where  he  waited,  he 
could  tell  every  one  of  the  weather-beaten  houses  of  the 
village  ;  and  he  knew  every  one  of  the  persons  who  lived 
in  them. 

But  a  little  way  beyond  was  seen  the  end  of  the  val 
ley,  where  the  surrounding  hills  form  an  ampitheatre, 
the  site  of  the  last  rally  of  the  miserable  impostor,  Bar- 
Cocheba,  against  the  Roman  troops  being  the  extreme 
towering  height,  whose  summit  is  still  crowned  with  the 
ruins  of  what  seems  to  be  the  remains  of  an  ancient 
attempt  at  fortification.  From  this  is  had  a  command 
ing  view  of  the  Great  Sea — the  glorious  blue-and-gold 
Mediterranean,  rolling  in  misty  atmospheric  splendour, 
but  undeniable  as  a  queen  in  its  magnificence.  More 
than  twenty-five  miles  of  hill,  valley  and  plain  stretch 
between ;  and  the  molten  turquoise,  sapphire  and  lapis- 
lazuli  of  the  matchless  waters  may  be  dimmed  by  the 
distance,  but  we  know  they  are  there,  and  the  imagina 
tive  mind  feels  the  supreme  colour. 

It  is  historic  ground.  Nearly  eighteen  hundred  years 
ago,  the  followers  of  the  false  Messiah,  Bar-Cocheba, 
"  Son  of  a  Star,"  who  was  acknowledged  by  the  deluded 
but  sincere  Rabbi  Akiba,  —  when  they  fortified  the 
heights,  and  made  that  rally  born  of  despair,  must  have 
looked  down  on  these  scenes :  the  peaceful  valley,  torn 
with  battle,  crowded  with  mailed  Romans,  on  the  one 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  141 

side,  and  on  the  other,  far  beyond,  like  Heaven  in  its 
amplitude,  the  broad  blue  sea,  ever  shifting  and  chang 
ing,  yet  ever  the  same. 

To-day,  the  scarcely  discernible  ruins  on  the  topmost 
peak  arc  covered  with  the  trailing  vines  of  the  sweet- 
smelling  honeysuckle,  and  the  tangled  clematis  with 
dark  green  polished  leaves  and  cream-coloured,  nod 
ding  blossoms,  masks  the  fallen  walls.  Here  the  un 
fortunate  remnant  of  the  Jewish  rebels  or  patriots  were 
pitilessly  slaughtered,  the  horses  of  the  Romans  being 
up  to  their  girths  in  blood.  The  aged  Rabbi  Akiba  had 
been  arrested,  tried,  and  put  to  death  with  cruel  torture, 
the  flesh  being  torn  with  red-hot  pincers,  piece  by 
piece,  from  his  body,  —  while  he,  faithful  to  his  belief, 
with  a  fortitude  almost  superhuman,  to  his  last  breath, 
and  until  he  gave  up  the  ghost,  continued  to  cry :  "  Hear, 
O  Israel ;  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord  !  " l 

At  a  sharp  curve  in  the  difficult  and  narrow  road 
which  runs  beneath  the  village,  leading  to  it,  there  is 
seen  a  most  peculiar  overhanging  shelf  of  rock.  It  is 
impossible  to  resist  the  suggestion  that  in  ancient  times 
it  must  have  been  used  as  a  strategical  position  from 
which  to  hurl  masses  of  stone  and  other  missiles  in  resist 
ing  the  approach  of  an  enemy  by  this  critical  pass,  which 
the  shelf  would  completely  command.  And  there  are 
other  similar  points  of  interest  and  evidence  which  here 
cannot  be  dwelt  on. 

But  none  of  these  things  entered  into  the  thoughts  of 
Hassan,  as  he  stood  on  the  hillside  opposite  to  Bettir. 

He  saw  the  house,  —  the  simple  abode  which  had 
been  assigned  to  him  as  having  belonged  to  his  parents, 
deceased  when  he  was  a  mere  infant,  —  and  noted  the  nar 
row  bounds  of  the  little  inclosure  in  which  it  stood  with 

1  The  writer,  when,  within  recent  years,  he  stood  on  those 
heights  —  the  Tell  of  Bettir  —  amid  those  ruins,  identifying  the 
place  with  ancient  Bether,  and  remembering  the  Rabbi  Akiba,  in 
memory  of  his  fidelity  and  courage  repeated  aloud  to  the  listening 
air,  and  in  the  ears  of  the  Syrians  who  stood  around,  the  self-same 
cry :  "  Hear,  O  Israel ;  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord  !  " 

The  venerable  Rabbi  is  said  to  have  reached  the  unusually 
great  age  of  120  years.  They  might  have  let  him  end  his  life  in 
peace. 


142  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

its  hedge-like  border  of  pomegranates.  He  had  but  sel 
dom  dwelt  there  of  late,  he  was  so  much  away,  tending 
his  sheep ;  and  in  such  absences  he  had  placed  it  in 
charge  of  his  bosom  friend,  Chalil,  the  son  of  the  village 
sheik.  They  had  often  occupied  it  together,  for  brief 
periods  of  time,  being  both  young  unmarried  men  of 
about  the  same  age,  and  intimate  acquaintances  from 
boyhood.  His  friend  was  probably  within  it  at  this  very 
moment. 

Hassan  had  told  Hihve  he  should  take  Chalil  with  him 
to  Malha.  And  this  it  was  which  brought  the  former  to 
Bettir. 

Ascending  a  projecting  pinnacle  of  rock,  Hassan, 
placing  his  hands  in  a  certain  position  before  his  mouth, 
sent  forth,  in  the  direction  of  the  village,  a  peculiar  cry 
or  signal.  This  he  repeated  more  than  once. 

He  had  unwound  from  his  waist  the  scarf  forming  his 
girdle,  which  he  next  commenced  waving  in  a  singular 
fashion  to  and  fro. 

It  was  evidently  an  agreed-on  code  of  signalling;  for 
presently  there  came  across  the  valley,  from  Bettir,  an 
answering  cry,  and  a  similar  waving  of  waist-gear. 
Whereupon  Hassan,  throwing  his  voice  in  a  curious, 
almost  ventriloquial  manner,  desired  Chalil  to  come  to 
him ;  when  at  once  Chain's  reply,  to  the  effect  that  he 
would  come  immediately,  borne  on  that  sonorous  air, 
was  distinctly  heard. 

This  "throwing  of  the  voice,"  as  it  may  be  called,  — 
this  singular  conveyance  of  sound,  is,  in  Palestine,  a 
peculiarity  which  seems  to  have  its  parallel  in  the  great 
distances  at  which  objects  are  seen  clearly.  Both  per 
tain  to  the  country,  and  largely  are  due  to  its  atmos 
pheric  conditions,  though  doubtless  also  governed  by 
special  characteristics  of  locality. 

Hassan  no\v  descended  from  his  lofty  pedestal  of  rock, 
and  flung  himself  upon  the  ground  to  rest,  for,  though 
not  exactly  fatigued,  he  had  been  walking  with  great 
rapidity,  and  besides  his  conflict  with  the  pard  had  left 
its  effect  upon  him. 

The  sight  of  the  little  flat-roofed  village  house  and  its 
pomegranate  bushes  and  fig-trees,  which  were  his  own, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  143 

made  him  think  of  Hilwe,  and  how  happy  he  might  be, 
could  he  bring  her  there  as  his  wife. 

The  pleasant  happy  valley  to  him  seemed  like  Far- 
eidis,  —  Paradise,  —  the  name  from  of  old  given  to  gar 
dens  by  this  people.  But  it,  too,  had  its  serpent,  in  the 
shape  of  the  blood-feud.  For,  only  in  a  less  degree,  the 
animosity  and  vindictiveness  of  the  Thar  was  felt  in  Bettir 
as  it  was  in  Malha. 

Yet  he  did  not  dwell  overmuch  on  the  thought  that, 
even  though  he  obtained  the  reluctant  consent  of  Hilwe's 
guardians,  which  at  best  could  only  be  had  through  the 
payment  of  an  excessively  large  backsheesh,  the  trouble 
would  not  then  be  over.  He  would  still  have  to  appease 
and  satisfy  the  people  of  his  own  village.  The  greater 
difficulty,  as  is  usual,  presented  itself  first.  That  re 
moved,  no  doubt  the  lesser  one  would  come  in  sight, 
and  duly  demand  attention. 

This  may  be  said  to  be  the  case  all  over  the  world. 
The  minor  cares  disappear  on  the  advent  of  the  more 
serious  ones.  But  especially  is  it  so  in  this  land,  where 
the  maxim  "  Sufficient  unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof" 
is  of  particular  force,  and  adapted  to  the  instincts  and 
habits  of  the  people. 

Hassan  had  distinctly  seen  Chalil  when  he  left  the  vil 
lage  and  set  out  to  come  to  him. 

(P  "  He  leaps  as  a  young  roe  for  gladness,  as  he  hastens," 
he  said. 

He  watched  him  descend  the  slopes,  and  cross  the 
hollow  of  the  valley,  by  a  pathway  which  led  through 
the  gardens,  and  where  his  well-known  figure  was  fre 
quently  hidden  from  sight  by  the  fruit-trees.  At  length, 
reaching  the  opposite  side,  he  ascended  to  the  ledge 
where  Hassan  stood  waiting  to  receive  him. 

"  I  came  as  soon  as  I  heard  thy  voice,"  he  exclaimed 
joyously. 

"  Verily.  And  I  am  well  pleased  to  see  thee,  as  thou 
knowest,"  returned  Hassan. 

Hurrying  forward,  Hassan  almost  ran  to  meet  him,  and 
fell  on  his  neck  and  kissed  him. 

The  Oriental  kiss  between  men  is  a  sight  of  more  than 
ordinary  interest  to  those  unaccustomed  to  see  it.  It  is 


144  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

undoubtedly  of  great  antiquity.  Breast  to  breast,  in  close 
embrace,  and  with  enfolding  arms,  the  men  lean  forward, 
and  first  on  the  right  side,  then  on  the  left,  —  literally 
"  falling  on  the  neck,"  —  they  each  bestow  a  kiss ;  and 
this  is  repeated,  sometimes  more  than  once. 

Generally  it  is  only  on  special  occasions,  or  after  an 
absence  of  considerable  length  of  time,  that  the  kiss  is 
indulged  in  ;  but  it  is  not  necessarily  so ;  and  the  Syrians 
are  a  distinctively  affectionate  people,  of  which  this  cus 
tom  is  only  one  of  numerous  evidences.  As  to  its  an 
tiquity,  the  Old  Testament  abounds  with  examples ;  the 
New  Testament  continuing  the  record  to  the  time  of 
Christ,  —  of  which  the  parable  of  the  Prodigal  Son  is 
interesting  proof.  The  Son  of  Man  was  betrayed  with 
a  kiss. 

With  these  unrestrained  tokens  of  feeling,  the  two 
young  villagers  met. 

Chalil,  the  son  of  the  sheik  of  Bettir,  was  a  young 
man  of  prepossessing  appearance,  in  that  he  had  a 
slender  graceful  figure,  an  oval  face  of  a  light-olive 
complexion,  clear,  brown  sympathetic  eyes,  full  of  light, 
a  well-formed  mouth  ornamented  with  a  very  dark  but 
very  small  mustache,  a  straight  nose  with  scarce  a  hint 
of  the  aquiline,  and  the  usual  abundance  of  the  strong 
black  hair  which  so  commonly  pertains  to  the  men 
of  the  country  who  lead  an  outdoor  life. 

His  dress  was  somewhat  different  from  that  of  Hassan. 
There  was  a  fine  finish  and  embroidered  edge  to  his 
inner  garments,  which  were  further  adorned  and  fastened 
with  ornamental  knobs.  He  wore  a  girdle  of  rich  yellow 
silk  around  his  lithe  waist,  and  his  crimson  tarboosh  with 
heavy  blue  tassel  had  wound  about  it  a  cloth  of  the  same 
material  as  the  sash,  but  of  pure  white,  sprinkled  with 
stars  woven  of  gold  thread.  He  was,  in  short,  somewhat 
of  a  village  "exquisite." 

But  it  was  his  abai  or  outside  robe  which  showed 
to  the  more  observant  eye  a  distinctive  mark.  This  was 
a  strip  of  many  colours  worn  inside  the  front  border,  into 
which,  indeed,  it  seemed  woven.  Though,  from  its  posi 
tion,  generally  concealed  from  sight,  it  is  this  which  forms 
the  robe  of  honour  of  the  eldest  son  of  the  sheik, — who 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  145 

is  the  young  sheik,  or  heir-apparent.  To  him  alone  it 
belongs.  It  is  of  right  his  inalienable  badge. 

This  is  the  "  coat  of  many  colours "  which  Jacob 
gave  to  his  son  Joseph  —  thus  unduly  exalting  him 
above  his  brethren,  and  exciting  their  envy  and  hatred. 
In  plain  terms,  by  his  act,  Jacob  clothed  him  with  the 
insignia  of  the  young  sheik  —  gave  him  the  position 
which  rightfully  belonged  to  Reuben,  the  first-born. 

There  was  something  irresistibly  suave  and  graceful 
in  Chain's  manner,  as  he  stood  on  the  edge  of  the 
natural  terrace,  still  holding  Hassan's  hand,  and  asking 
and  answering  many  questions.  He  had  much  interest 
ing  information  to  give  respecting  the  village,  which  he 
evidently  enjoyed  relating;  and  Hassan  was  a  good 
listener,  —  all  the  better  because  of  his  love  of  the 
speaker,  • —  though  naturally  impatient  on  this  occasion. 

But  all  was  related  in  a  few  minutes.  The  Arabic  is 
a  comprehensive  language. 

There  was  not  the  least  reserve  between  the  two,  nor 
the  slightest  attempt  to  conceal  or  restrain  the  bond  of 
affection  existing  between  them,  which  was  of  the  most 
tender  friendly  character. 

As  Hassan  led  Chalil  under  the  shade  of  the  rocks, 
he  asked  him : 

"  Does  thy  honoured  father,  Abou  Chalil,  the  sheik, 
know  that  thou  art  with  me?" 

There  was  a  momentary  silence. 

"  I  did  not  think  it  best  to  tell  him,"  replied  Chalil. 
"  Thou  knowest  — 

He  refrained,  through  delicacy  of  feeling,  from  finish 
ing  the  sentence. 

"  Yes,  I  know  thy  father  favours  not  our  intimacy. 
Yet  have  I  never  done  aught  against  him ;  but,  on  the 
contrary,  ever  have  honoured  and  respected  him,  as 
thou  thyself  canst  bear  witness." 

"  Thou  speakest  the  words  of  truth  and  honesty.  It 
is  the  only  thing  in  which  I  have  ever  disobeyed  my 
father.  Nor,  indeed,  have  I  done  so  in  this;  for  he  has 
never  positively  forbidden  our  friendship.  Though  if 
he  had  —  " 

Again  Chalil  was  silent. 


146  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"If  he  had,"  took  up  Hassan,  "  thou  wouldst — " 

"  I  would  still  do  even  as  I  have  done." 

Hassan  pressed  Chalil's  hand  in  acknowledgment. 

"  Well  art  thou  named,"  he  said.  "  Thou  art  a  faith 
ful  friend.  One  who  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother." 

Chalil  was  to  the  old  sheik,  his  father,  dear  as  the 
apple  of  his  eye.  He  could  not  bear  to  thwart  him  in 
anything.  And  yet,  often,  as  in  many  another  case  of  a 
like  kind,  the  fatherly  interest  and  affection  not  infre 
quently  proved  somewhat  oppressive  to  the  young  man, 
who  had  far  different  ideas,  sympathies,  and  pleasures 
from  those  of  his  sire. 

The  sheik's  name  originally  had  been  Areef  Aweda. 
But,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  country,  on  the 
birth  of  his  son  Chalil,  he  had  been  given,  out  of  high 
honour  and  respect,  the  name  Abou  Chalil,  which 
means,  "The  Father  of  Chalil."  This  is  the  almost  in 
variable  habit  in  Palestine, — the  father  disusing  his 
own  name  on  the  birth  of  a  son,  and  being  addressed 
as  —  The  Father  of  Chalil,  Selim,  Yusef,  Said,  or  what 
ever  the  son's  name  may  be. 

From  this  may  be  had  some  faint  perception  of  the 
importance  attached  to  male  offspring  in  the  East,  and 
especially  to  the  first-born  son.  It  is  even  more  strongly 
emphasised  with  the  Jews,  who,  if  they  have  not  a  son 
are  apt  to  adopt  one,  that,  believing  as  they  do  in 
prayers  for  the  dead,  they  may  have  on  their  decease 
some  one  to  offer  such  supplications  for  their  souls,  —  for 
a  daughter  or  female  relative  cannot  be  permitted  to 
enter  the  synagogue  for  this  or  any  other  purpose ; 
while  it  is  especially  the  duty  of  the  son  to  pray  for  the 
soul  of  the  author  of  his  being  as  well  as  for  that  of  the 
father  who  has  adopted  him. 

Chalil,  which  means  "  friend,"  is  a  name  as  common 
among  the  people  of  the  Holy  Land  as  the  name  John 
is  with  the  English-speaking  races.  It  is  the  name  by 
which  Abraham,  "  the  father  of  the  faithful,  and  the 
friend  of  God,"  is  invariably  known  and  spoken  of;  and 
this  explains  its  being  such  a  favourite  with  his  descen 
dants  and  the  natives  who  honour  his  memory. 

Hassan  now  felt  he  had  no  longer  any  time  to  spare 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  147 

if  he  would  carry  out  his  purpose  of  this  day  visiting 
Malha. 

Turning  to  Chalil,  who  sat  close  beside  him,  he  affec 
tionately  leaned  towards  him,  and  placed  his  friend's 
hand  on  his  thigh,  after  the  old  manner  with  men  of 
urging  a  request  or  swearing  to  a  promise,  —  a  custom 
of  prehistoric  origin. 

"  Wilt  thou,  this  day,  go  up  with  me  to  Malha?"  he 
asked. 

"To  Malha?"  exclaimed  Chalil. 

"  Even  so.     To  Malha,"  quietly  repeated  Hassan. 

"  Dost  thou  mean  what  thou  sayest?  " 

"Yea;   verily  and  indeed." 

The  young  sheik  could  scarcely  believe  he  heard 
aright,  and  so  expressed  himself. 

Whereupon  Hassan  unfolded  to  him  the  facts  in  the 
case,  relating  to  him  the  events  of  the  morning,  includ 
ing  the  fight  with  the  leopard,  and  showing  him  of  what 
service  he  could  be  to  him. 

"  Thou  wilt  be  my  spokesman  —  my  daysman,"  he 
said. 

At  the  close  of  his  narration,  he  again  put  the  ques 
tion  to  Chalil :  , 

"  Wilt  thou  go  up  with  me  to  Malha?" 

It  was  put  with  the  same  solemn  form  as  before. 

And  now,  without  the  least  hesitation,  came  the  reply: 

"  Thou  knowest  well  that  I  will  go.  Even  should 
mischief  befall  thee,  it  is  only  the  more  reason  that  I 
should  be  with  thee." 

"Thou  speakest  bravely.   Hast  thou  counted  the  cost?" 

"  I  have." 

"  Then  let  us  be  going." 

They  both  rose  to  their  feet  simultaneously,  and  set 
out,  without  further  delay  or  another  word,  to  return  by 
the  route  Hassan  had  already  traversed. 

They  soon  reached  the  old  inclosure  —  the  scene  of 
the  leopard  fight  of  the  early  morning,  Hassan  eagerly 
indicated  to  the  young  sheik  the  different  points  in  the 
conflict,  fighting  the  battle  over  again,  to  the  delight  of 
both  of  them.  It  was  a  brief  but  rapturous  rehearsal, 
on  the  very  ground  where  the  action  had  occurred. 


148  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

"  The  sheep  will  do  well  enough  in  the  pen  till  we  get 
back  from  Malha,"  said  Hassan.  "  I  have  watered  the 
flock,  and  cut  some  fodder  for  them.  Besides,  Yusef  is 
coming  to  spell  me.  They  will  be  all  right." 

"Yea,  doubtless,"  responded  Chalil.  "  I  only  wish  it 
might  be  as  well  with  us." 

They  found  the  leopard's  hide  —  the  peace-offering 
—  safe  in  the  cleft  of  the  rock  where  Hassan  had  con 
cealed  it.  Placing  it  upon  a  stout  pole,  which  they 
carried  between  them,  the  young  men  turned  their  faces 
toward  Malha,  which,  as  soon  as  they  had  passed  an 
intervening  ridge,  appeared  in  sight,  on  its  conical  tell, — 
for,  indeed,  like  the  city  set  upon  a  hill,  it  could  not  be 
hid.  In  the  distance,  the  tell  looked  like  an  extinct  vol 
cano,  with  the  village  built  across  the  crater. 

They  walked  as  rapidly  as  their  inconvenient  burden 
and  the  rough  ground  permitted,  and  in  due  time  found 
themselves  at  the  base  of  the  tell,  where  they  called  a 
temporary  halt,  set  down  their  load,  and  rested. 

At  this  point  the  surface  of  the  land  was  covered  with 
an  immense  amount  of  loose  rock  and  stones,  giving  the 
scene  an  aspect  savage  and  dreary  in  the  extreme.  It 
conveyed  the  impression  that  in  a  far  Distant  age  some 
enormous  glacier  had  here  unloaded  itself,  melting  away 
after  having  brought  and  deposited  its  millions  of  tons  of 
debris — like  the  wreck  of  a  planet. 

It  is  probable  that  Hassan  never  quite  or  even  approx 
imately  realised  the  difficulty  of  his  undertaking  until  he 
sat  thus,  amid  this  ferocious  scene  —  this  antediluvian 
rubbish-heap,  at  the  foot  of  the  tell. 

Was  it  not  the  very  threshold  of  his  fate  ?  Had  he  not 
reached  the  edge  of  the  future?  How  different  was  the 
scene  on  this  side  from  that  facing  the  Wady-el-werd  — 
the  cheerful  and  pleasant  Valley  of  Roses.  There  seemed 
something  ominous  and  uncanny  in  the  presentment. 

But  he  had  not  the  least  intention  of  turning  back. 

Taking  up  their  burden,  they  once  more  moved 
forward. 

This  time  they  made  but  slow  progress.  The  steep 
ascent,  in  many  places  quite  precipitous  and  almost  dan 
gerous,  rendered  it  difficult  for  them,  hampered  with  their 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  149 

awkward  load,  to  make  even  moderate  speed.  Often  they 
were  obliged  to  come  to  a  "  dead  stop  "  ;  and  they  suffered 
many  a  slip  and  backward  stumble  over  the  loose  stones 
as  they  patiently  plodded  up  the  abrupt  acclivity,  which 
seemed  to  be  more  and  more  trying  as  they  advanced. 
In  truth  the}-  had  made  a  mistake,  and  had  not  found 
the  usual  and  easiest  place  of  ascent,  which,  at  best,  is 
troublesome  enough. 

At  length  they  reached  a  point,  within  a  few  feet  of 
the  apex,  where  a  huge  boulder  was  firmly  embedded. 
Here  they  stopped  to  reconnoitre. 

"  There  is  not  a  thing  stirring.  It  seems  like  a  dead 
place,"  remarked  Hassan. 

"  No  doubt,  such  of  them  as  are  not  away  are  asleep," 
said  Chalil.  "  They  will  come  out  in  due  time,  like 
hornets." 

He  viewed  the  narrow  precincts  with  the  curiosity  of 
a  stranger,  mingled  with  distrust. 

But  it  was  with  affectionate  interest  Hassan  surveyed 
the  place  —  the  abode  of  Hilwe.  This  feeling  predomi 
nated,  notwithstanding  the  unfriendliness,  of  immemorial 
existence.  He  felt  jealous  for  it,  and  was  provoked  at 
any  disparagement  of  it  which  he  was  sure  Chalil  mentally 
indulged  in,  in  comparing  it  with  the  excellency  of  Bettir. 

He  turned  to  his  friend  to  give  him  a  last  injunction. 

"  Thou  wilt  speak  for  me,  Chalil  —  thou  wilt  be  my 
daysman,  and  plead  my  cause,"  he  said.  "  But  do  not 
use  harsh  words  to  the  men.  Who  knows  but,  even  at 
the  last,  their  hearts  may  incline  to  us,  when  we  speak 
with  them  face  to  face,  and  when  they  see  they  have  been 
delivered  from  the  wild  beast.  And  then  —  then,  forget 
not  they  are  Hilwe's  people." 

"  Thou  needest  not  fear,  Hassan.  I  shall  not  talk 
roughly  to  the  men.  I  shall  be  even  as  thine  own  mouth, 
to  deliver  the  words  thou  hast  in  thine  heart  to  say. 
Trust  me,  I  shall  speak  better  for  thee  than  I  would  for 
mine  own  self." 

As  the  young  sheik  uttered  these  sentiments,  his  look 
was  so  noble,  so  full  of  affection,  Hassan's  heart  yearned 
towards  him  more  than  ever,  and  he  impetuously  threw 
his  arm  around  him  while  he  pressed  his  hand. 


150  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

"  Allah  bless  and  preserve  thee  !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  I 
know  it  is  as  thou  hast  said.  Thou  art  better  to  me  than 
a  thousand." 

The  young  men  now  adjusted  their  apparel.  Each 
shook  the  dust  from  his  abai  and  his  shoes,  and  Chalil 
drew  more  tightly  about  his  loins  his  silk  ishdad  or  girdle. 

"  Let  us  go  around,  so  as  to  enter  by  the  direct  way, 
the  gate,"  suggested  Hassan,  "  that  we  seem  not  to  break 
in  like  thieves  or  robbers." 

"  Or  as  though  we  were  afraid,  or  ashamed  of  what  we 
are  doing,"  added  Chalil. 

"  Yea,  thou  speakest  wisely,  my  brother.  Here  ;  let 
us  turn  to  the  right ;  and  let  me,  this  time,  go  in  advance. 
Bismillah  —  in  the  name  of  Allah.  So  be  it.  We  will 
go  forward  in  the  name  of  the  Most  Merciful.  Who 
knoweth  but  he  alone  whether  we  be  in  danger  or  not?  " 

And  so,  bearing  the  leopard  skin  between  them,  they 
passed  quickly  to  the  right  for  a  short  distance  beneath 
the  crest  of  the  grim,  ashen-gray  tell,  until  they  reached 
the  regular  entrance  to  the  place. 

Less  than  a  score  of  ascending  steps  brought  them  to 
the  summit;  and  Malha,  in  all  its  contracted  limitations, 
and  almost  unpropitious  aspect,  lay  revealed  before  them. 


CHAPTER   XIV 

ONE  of  the  peculiarities  of  Palestine  is  that  there  are 
no  scattered  dwellings  —  no  isolated  habitations 
to  be  found  within  its  borders.  Even  the  country  people, 
with  the  object  of  self-protection,  for  ages  have  built  their 
houses  in  what  may  be  called  agglomerated  communities 
—  condensed  villages  on  lofty  heights  or  tells.  For  the 
same  reason,  safety  as  well  as  seclusion,  "  high-places  " 
were  selected  for  the  erection  of  altars  and  sanctuaries 
for  the  worship  of  God  as  well  as  for  idolatrous  practices. 
The  idea  that  "  there  is  safety  in  a  multitude  "  has 
become  crystallised  into  the  proverbs  of  the  land,  and 
permeates  its  literature.  The  man  with  many  sons  is 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  151 

described  as  not  being  afraid  to  speak  with  his  enemy  in 
the  gate ;  and  the  Lord  is  continually  spoken  of  as  a 
tower,  as  "  my  rock  and  my  fortress,"  and  as  "  a  high 
rock  of  defence." 

Malha  in  many  respects  is  not  very  different  from  the 
generality  of  the  villages  of  the  Holy  Land  ;  except  that 
from  the  very  circumscribed  area  of  the  peculiar  site,  all 
the  conditions  which  pertain  to  the  ordinary  village  are 
here  intensified  and  aggravated. 

Hassan  and  Chalil,  as  they  reached  the  summit,  at  the 
principal  entrance  to  the  place,  saw  before  them  an  assem 
blage  of  flat-roofed  stone  houses  closely  packed  together 
completely  covering  the  truncated  apex  of  the  tell. 

In  the  midst  ran  a  crooked,  narrow  passage-way, 
scarcely  wide  enough  to  be  dignified  with  the  name  of 
alley,  and  where  two  donkeys  could  barely  pass  each 
other  or  move  together  abreast.  This  was  the  main  street. 

At  the  entrance  or  approach,  where  they  stood,  this 
passage  widened  or  enlarged  into  what  the  most  fertile 
imagination  might  convert  into  a  plaza,  piazza,  or  square 
of  the  most  diminutive  proportions.  Around  a  curve  in 
the  narrow  way  they  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  village  oven, 
proportionately  not  much  smaller  than  some  of  the 
houses,  with  a  heap  of  ashes  before  it.  But  not  a  man, 
woman,  or  child  was  as  yet  visible. 

The  acrid  smell  of  the  smoke,  a  predominant  feature, 
was  to  them  not  as  noticeable  or  disagreeable  as  it  would 
have  been  to  one  who  was  a  stranger  in  the  land,  as  it 
is  a  characteristic  common  to  all  the  villages  of  the 
country,  and  therefore  it  was  a  familiar  smell,  —  a  mark 
of  relationship  or  identity,  —  and  regarded  by  them  as 
not  particularly'  objectionable,  but  perhaps  rather  the 
opposite. 

Several  pariah-dogs,  of  a  dusty  or  reddish-yellow 
colour,  and  with  smooth  skins,  and  erect  pointed  ears, 
suddenly  became  apparent.  They  had  been  lazily 
dozing  in  the  sun;  but  awoke,  shook  themselves,  and, 
perceiving  the  new-comers,  gave  vent  to  a  succession 
of  startling  barks  and  yelps. 

This  immediately  called  out  several  of  the  women, 
who  at  once  gave  the  alarm ;  and  in  an  incredibly  short 


152  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

interval  of  time  it  seemed  as  if  the  greater  part  of  the 
population  had  swarmed  upon  the  scene,  so  that  they 
filled  the  narrow  space  in  front  of  the  visitors. 

Hassan  and  Chalil,  who  had  deposited  upon  the  ground  || 
the  leopard  skin,  made  the  usual  salutations  with  more 
than  ordinary  respect.  These,  through  the  natural  cour 
tesy  of  the  people,  involuntarily,  and  on  the  first  impulse 
of  the  moment,  had  been  returned  by  the  men  who  stood 
nearest,  and  among  whom  might  be  recognised  the  sheik 
of  Malha,  and  Ismail,  the  uncle  of  Hilwe. 

Others,  who  had  commenced  to  return  the  obeisance, 
suddenly  checked  themselves,  while  in  some  instances 
scowls  and  looks  of  anger  darkened  their  countenances. 
Among  the  latter  was  a  man  considerably  past  the 
middle  age,  with  penetrating  black  eyes,  hooked  nose, 
and  long,  weather-beaten  face,  which  was  much  wrinkled, 
and  of  the  colour  of  soiled  leather. 

This  was  Abd-el-nour.  His  dark  beard,  of  medium 
length,  and  his  hair  were  slightly  sprinkled  with  gray ; 
and  from  the  malign  expression  of  his  features,  and  his 
active  communication  with  those  who  stood  about  him, 
he  evidently  was  infecting  the  men  with  the  proper  spirit 
of  hatred  he  himself  possessed,  and  which  he  considered 
justified  by  the  intrusion  of  the  men  of  Bettir. 

Among  the  women  and  children,  who  remained  in  the 
rear,  were  Kadra  and  Fatima,  who  quickly  understood 
the  meaning  of  the  scene ;  but  there  was  no  appearance 
of  Hilwe.  Yet,  not  very  far  off,  she  viewed  the  unusual 
spectacle  through  a  lattice,  her  great  luminous  eyes 
moistening  and  dilating ;  and  she  even  overheard  almost 
every  word  of  what  was  said. 

The  dogs  now  began  to  approach  the  leopard's  hide, 
aud  cautiously  sniff  at  it.  To  them  it  was  an  unknown 
enemy.  Some  of  them  turned  tail  and  ran  away,  after 
the  brief  olfactory  experiment,  seeming  to  consider  "  dis 
cretion  the  better  part  of  valour."  The  few  that  remained 
kept  at  a  safe  distance,  and  gave  vent  to  an  occasional 
yelp  or  growl. 

If  curiosity  is  a  strong  characteristic  of  all  peasants, 
more  especially  is  it  so  of  the  fellaheen  of  Palestine.  And 
this  alone  would  have  gone  far  to  modify  and  appease, 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  153 

at  least  for  the  time  being,  the  feelings  of  the  men  of 
Malha  towards  their  hereditary  enemies  in  the  persons 
of  the  two  young  men  of  Bettir  who  had  ventured  among 
them,  to  convey  the  skin  of  this  strange  wild  beast. 

The  sheik  and  several  of  the  prominent  men  of  the 
place  drew  near,  expressing  their  wonder,  and  making 
many  comments  on  the  beauty  and  large  dimensions 
of  the  hide,  and  wanting  to  know  who  killed  the  animal, 
and  where  and  how  it  was  killed.  They  called  it  Nimr 
or  panther. 

Most  of  the  younger  men  had  never  beheld  or  heard 
of  such  a  creature,  though  two  or  three  of  them  de 
clared  they  had  seen  the  same  beast  or  one  like  it,  near 
where  the  sheik's  and  Abd-el-nour's  sheep  were  killed. 
They  were  sure  it  had  been  the  devastator  of  their  flocks. 

The  sheik  repeating  his  desire  to  know  all  about  it, 
Chalil  saw  his  opportunity.  His  time  had  come.  With 
the  tact  of  the  born  orator  and  story-teller,  he  had  waited 
for  the  favourable  moment  before  beginning  to  speak. 

As  he  stepped  forward  a  pace  or  so,  —  leaving  Hassan 
slightly  in  the  rear  and  on  the  other  side  of  the  hand 
some  trophy,  —  and  opened  his  mouth,  pouring  out,  at 
first  slowly  and  with  great  dignity,  but  soon  with  ex 
traordinary  volubility,  the  living  glowing  words,  the  rap 
turous  sentences  descriptive  of  Hassan's  adventure,  his 
conflict,  and  victory,  every  eye  was  fixed  on  him,  and 
every  ear  strained  to  extreme  tension  to  hear  him. 

From  the  very  first  the  grace  and  enthusiasm  of  the 
man  captured  them.  He  was  transfigured  before  them. 
The  beauty  of  nobility  exalted  him. 

As  he  told  of  the  attack  of  the  leopard  in  the  thick 
darkness,  the  glare  of  the  eyes,  the  horror  of  his  roar, 
the  piteous  bleating  of  the  helpless  sheep,  —  all  was 
realized  by  those  imaginative  people.  It  was  as  though 
their  hearts  and  brains  were  harps,  and  he  swept  the 
resonant  cords  with  passionate  power  and  at  his  own 
will. 

It  was  an  epic.  Full  of  Oriental  colouring,  it  was  a 
rhapsody  of  word-painting.  There  was  no  actual  falsify 
ing,  but  here  and  there,  with  consummate  art,  he 
strengthened  a  light  or  deepened  a  shadow,  till  the 


154  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

entire  action  stood  revealed  like  the  masterpiece  of  a 
great  painter. 

As  he  spoke,  he  carried  these  simple  men  on  his 
words.  They  reached  towards  him  eagerly, — long 
ingly.  He  was  as  their  breath  to  them.  They  saw  and 
heard  as  he  desired.  They  dreamed  his  dream ;  they 
thought  his  thought;  they  felt  as  he  felt. 

They  saw  the  gray  dawn,  —  the  cool  river  of  day  pour 
over  the  red-burning  bars  of  the  east,  till  the  hills  and  val 
leys  were  flooded  with  the  white  blessedness,  and  every 
thing  awoke  to  the  exultation  of  being,  the  joy  of 
existence,  —  everything  but  the  once  fierce-lived  leopard. 
That  lay  dead,  slain  on  the  threshold  of  the  morning. 
He  had  accompanied  the  entire  marvellous  recital  with 
that  peculiar  illustrative  action  of  the  East  which  seizes 
as  its  accomplice  every  movement  and  expression  of  the 
body.  Gesture  after  gesture  projected,  emphasised  and 
acted  out  each  incident,  feeling  and  bearing  of  the  story, 
—  things  that  words  could  not  say.  Weird  movements 
of  the  hand  and  fingers,  arms,  and  feet,  exquisite  motions 
of  the  head,  and  effective  mobile  employment  of  eyes  and 
mouth,  in  indescribable  and  innumerable  array,  lent  them 
selves  to  his  purpose,  and  carried  out  his  meaning  to  the 
ultimate  limit  of  suggestiveness. 

As  Chalil  paused  for  a  moment,  their  intensified  feel 
ings  seemed  ready  to  snap  like  the  over-stretched  vibrant 
string  of  a  musical  instrument.  Then  came  a  half-sup 
pressed  breathing,  as  if  of  one  united  sigh  of  relief, 
followed  by  scarcely  articulated  syllables  of  admiring 
wonder : 

"Taieeb!  Taieeb!  — Good!  Good!" 

He  heard  them,  but  did  not  notice.  He  seemed  not 
to  care. 

He  had  left  the  leopard  dead. 

There  lay  its  skin  before  them. 

It  was  no  fiction,  —  no  mere  story,  —  no  dream.  It 
was  reality. 

Lowering  his  voice  in  a  confidential  manner,  so  that 
only  those  in  his  immediate  vicinity  might  seem  to 
hear,  though  all  heard  him,  he  turned  to  Ismail,  Hilwe's 
uncle. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  155 

"And  this  young  hero,"  he  said,  pointing  to  Hassan, 
"the  conqueror  of  the  strong,  the  slayer  of  the  devourer 
who  slaughtered  thy  flocks,  comes  to  thee  softly, 
humbly.  He  speaks  not  a  word  for  himself.  I,  who 
am  not  worthy  to  mention  his  name,  or  wipe  the  dust 
from  his  coundra  —  his  shoe  —  I  am  his  daysman,  his 
advocate.  He  has  stripped  the  proud  raiment  from  the 
vanquished,  and  lays  the  noble  trophy,  —  the  token  of 
his  manhood,  his  strength  and  courage,  —  as  a  present 
and  a  peace-offering  at  thy  feet.  It  is  as  naught  to 
what  he  is  prepared  and  willing  to  give  thee.  Gra 
ciously  be  pleased  to  accept  this  offering,  and  grant 
that  he  find  favour  in  thine  eyes.  He  is  at  thy  disposi 
tion.  Treat  him  kindly.  Thou  knowest  that,  accord 
ing  to  the  usage  of  our  land,  he  has  presented  his  suit 
through  a  woman  of  thy  people. " 

Scarcely  had  Chalil  concluded  the  last  sentence, 
when  various  inimical  cries  were  heard,  interrupting 
what  further  he  would  have  said. 

A  short  while  previously  Abd-el-nour  had  approached 
Ismail,  and  had  spoken  in  his  ear  threatenings  and 
words  of  bitterness,  while  at  the  same  time  he 
promised  to  add  largely  to  the  amount  he  had  pledged 
to  give  him  for  Hilwe.  He  also  had  not  ceased  to 
foment  among  the  other  men  the  traditional  hate. 

The  murmurs  now  became  louder,  and  various  dis 
cordant  cries,  among  them  that  of  the  "  Thar,"  resounded 
on  all  sides. 

Chalil  attempted  to  speak,  but  his  voice  was  drowned 
in  the  confusion. 

"  Let  not  this  dreamer  beguile  thee  with  deceitful 
words !  "  exclaimed  Abd-el-nour.  "  Remember  the 
Thar." 

Chalil  dropped  back  beside  Hassan,  who,  in  turn, 
after  a  similar  failure  to  make  himself  audible,  also 
was  obliged  to  remain  silent.  He  stretched  out  his 
hands  imploringly;  but  not  a  word  of  his  was  heard. 

At  this  juncture  Ismail,  with  Abd-el-nour  and 
several  followers,  pressed  to  the  front. 

The  uncle  of  Hilwe  was  evidently  greatly  excited, 
violently  waving  his  arms  high  above  his  head,  and 


156  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

was  indulging  in  the  most  inflamed  language,  the 
greater  part  of  which  was  lost  to  Hassan  and  Chalil  in 
the  din. 

But  the  latter  part  of  Ismail's  words  were  but  too 
distinct. 

"Thou  comest  here,"  he  said,  addressing  Hassan, 
"but  we  have  not  invited  thee,  nor  given  thee  any 
encouragement  to  enter.  Thinkest  thou  to  instruct 
us,  and  dost  thou  expect  that  we  shall  set  aside  our 
ancient  customs  at  thy  pleasure.  Allah  forbid  !  Who 
art  thou,  indeed,  that  we  should  regard  thee?  We 
know  thee  not,  nor  thy  generation.  It  is  not  meet  that 
we  should  have  any  dealings  with  thee;  much  less  that 
we  should  give  thee  our  daughters  to  wife,  or  receive 
the  daughters  of  the  men  of  Bettir  as  our  sons'  wives. 
As  for  thy  gift,  it  is  naught  to  us.  We  accept  it  not. 
Take  it,  and  get  thee  gone  with  thy  friend  to  thine 
own  place." 

Suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  he  and  those  with 
him  seized  the  leopard  skin,  and  hurled  it  towards 
Hassan. 

It  was  the  most  bitter  insult  which  could  be  offered, 
—  the  return  of  a  gift,  especially  when  so  presented. 

The  scene  which  ensued  baffles  description. 

The  people,  who  but  a  few  moments  before  had  been 
listening  in  such  enrapt  attention  to  the  words  of  Chalil, 
seemed  suddenly  possessed  of  demons.  They  surged 
forward  in  a  rush,  waving  their  arms  threateningly, 
uttering  loud  opprobrious  epithets,  and  almost  beside 
themselves  with  rage. 

The  bland  musical  accents  of  the  graceful  young 
sheik  might  and  should  have  gone  far  to  pacify  and 
ameliorate  the  angry  and  discordant  feelings  of  those 
who  heard  him  speak  with  the  voice  as  of  an  angel.  But 
prejudice,  with  distorted  eye  and  ear,  is  a  cruel  and 
implacable  thing.  It  turns  honey  to  gall,  the  beauti 
ful  to  the  hideous,  and  good  to  evil,  riding  roughshod 
over  the  amenities  of  life. 

The  Sheik  of  Malha,  though  stunned  by  the  tumult, 
evidently  entertained  a  sense  of  gratitude  and  kindly 
feeling  for  Hassan;  but  it  was  in  vain  he  tried  to  stem 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  157 

the  torrent,  counselling  moderation  and  reason,  and 
repeatedly  saying  there  was  no  necessity  for  such 
violence.  He  and  the  few  who  stood  with  him  were 
thrust  aside  and  hustled  rudely,  in  the  outbreak  of  the 
turbulence. 

He  saw  immediately,  to  his  mortification,  that  in 
the  madness  of  the  hour  his  authority  was  utterly 
ignored,  and  that  the  old  vindictiveness  was  in  the 
ascendency,  and  the  passions  of  his  people  were  beyond 
his  control. 

"  Isma'  hatta  ihki  lak  —  Listen,  that  I  may  speak 
to  thee, "  implored  Hassan,  in  a  last  appeal  to  Hilwe's 
uncle. 

"Iskat  ma  berid  isma'  minak  —  Hold  thy  peace,  I 
don't  want  to  hear  thee,"  came  the  contemptuous  reply. 

Hassan  seemed  bewildered. 

"Thou  hast  sojourned  with  the  Nazarenes.  Wouldst 
thou  teach  us  their  ways  and  doctrine?  Get  thee 
hence.  We  want  thee  not,"  were  some  of  the  words 
hurled  at  him. 

Chalil,  who  had  counselled  Hassan  to  hasten  his 
departure,  now  helped  him  to  gather  up  the  leopard 
skin ;  and  they  at  once  turned  to  leave,  the  crowd 
closely  pressing  upon  them,  and  using  abusive 
language. 

They  were  occasionally  roughly  handled,  and  all 
their  expostulations  fell  on  deaf  or  unfriendly  ears. 

In  the  midst  of  this  fearful  scene  —  this  sudden 
burst  of  fanaticism,  poor  Hilwe,  beside  herself  with 
terror,  rushed  screaming  from  the  house,  with  what 
intention  was  not  apparent. 

"  O  Hassan,  they  will  slay  thee ! "  she  exclaimed. 

But  she  was  brutally  pushed  back  by  her  uncle  and 
Fatima,  who,  shutting  the  door  upon  her,  overwhelmed 
her  with  vituperation  and  sarcastic  mockings,  in  which 
department  of  speech  the  fellaheen  of  Palestine  are 
accomplished,  indeed  skilled  adepts: 

"  Ha,  hah !  We  laugh  thee  to  scorn.  Thou  art  even 
one  of  the  froward  daughters.  Cry  aloud.  Call  upon 
thy  lover.  Peradventure  he  will  hear  thee,  and  come 
to  thine  aid." 


158  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Poor  Hilwe,  she  thrust  her  fingers  in  her  ears  to 
dull  the  cruel  taunts,  and  flung  herself,  in  agony  of 
mind,  upon  the  floor  of  the  leewan  or  raised  part  of  the 
room,  tortured  with  the  thought  of  the  ignominious 
usage  bestowed  on  her  beloved  Hassan  and  his  friend, 
and  torn  with  the  fearful  dread  that  their  lives  were 
in  danger,  and  would  fall  a  sacrifice  to  the  hateful, 
Thar. 

"  I  feared  it !  I  feared  it !  "  she  cried.  "  Did  not. 
my  heart  tell  me?  Did  I  not  warn  Hassan?" 

She  covered  her  mouth  with  her  hands  to  smother 
the  pitiful  cries  and  sobs  she  could  not  restrain.  But 
there  was  none  to  commiserate  —  none  to  console  her. 

"  Poor  fellow !  Poor  Hassan !  They  have  killed 
thee  and  thy  noble  friend.  And  it  is  all  for  me." 

Lifting  up  her  voice,  in  the  anguish  of  her  despair, 
thus  she  lamented  and  wept :  — 

"  Oh  !  my  beloved  !  why  am  I  not  with  thee  ?  Why 
am  I  not  beside  thee  to  stanch  thy  wounds  —  to  raise 
thy  head  —  to  comfort  thee  with  sweet  words  ?  As  one 
whom  his  mother  comforteth,  so  would  I  comfort  thee. 
Mayhap,  even  while  I  speak  thou  art  numbered  with 
the  dead, — art  gone  down  into  the  noisome  pit,  and 
art  even  as  those  who  are  not.  Better  also  that  I  were 
dead  —  that  I  were  not  in  the  land  of  the  living,  but  in 
the  abode  of  darkness,  than  that  I  should  survive  to 
see  this  foul  day.  Better  that  I  had  died  the  hour  of 
my  birth." 

Kadra,  hearing  her  lamentation,  drew  near  and  stood 
beneath  the  narrow  unglazed  opening  which  served  for 
a  window,  and  would  fain  have  soothed  her. 

"O  little  goat,  don't  die,  for  the  spring  and  the 
sweet  grass  are  soon  coming,"  she  began  in  the  tender 
metaphor  of  the  East. 

But  Fatima  would  not  permit  it ;  and  the  sharp- 
tongued,  yet  not  ungrateful  recipient  of  Hassan's 
generous  backsheesh  in  the  shape  of  that  fat  sheep,  was 
obliged  to  withdraw  without  being  able  to  communi 
cate  further  with  the  grief-stricken  Hilwe. 

"It  is  the  work  of  the  evil  eye  which  hath  brought 
this  to  pass,"  concluded  Kadra.  "But,  even  now,  I 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  159 

will  get  me  to  the  old  watch-tower,  whence  I  can  see, 
unobserved,  the  outcome  of  it  all." 

She  hobbled  off,  in  her  awkward  slippers,  in  the 
direction  mentioned. 

"  I  advised  her  to  wear  the  blue  beads  about  her 
neck,  to  ward  off  the  bad  influence,"  she  muttered. 

As  Hassan,  following  Chalil,  reached  the  edge  of 
the  declivity,  and  turned  to  take  a  last  look  at  the 
place,  with  the  hope  of  seeing  Hilwe,  and  with  the 
feeling,  which  was  but  natural,  that  he  was  not  fleeing 
as  a  coward,  even  though  in  the  presence  of  superior 
numbers,  he  encountered  Abd-el-nour,  face  to  face. 

Grim,  satyr-like,  and  diabolically  malevolent  was 
the  gleam  of  those  deeply-set  black  eyes,  filled  with 
the  gathered  tenebrse  of  generations  of  hate.  Of  all 
the  inhabitants  of  Malha,  he  it  was  who  cherished  most 
persistently  the  traditions  of  the  Thar,  —  believed  the 
most  thoroughly  in  the  application  of  the  unholy  doc 
trines  of  the  blood-feud. 

He  was  like  the  presiding  evil  genius  of  the  place. 

"Hah!  I  have  met  thee,  then,  O  my  enemy!"  he 
exclaimed,  and  began  to  curse  and  swear. 

Seeing  Hassan  encumbered  with  the  leopard  skin, 
he  suddenly  smote  him  upon  the  cheek  with  the  palm 
of  his  hand. 

It  was  a  spontaneous  outburst  of  his    spitefulness. 

"Interloper,"  he  shouted,  "hast  thou  ventured  into 
our  stronghold  ?  Take  thy  punishment !  " 

He  evidently  was  emboldened  by  the  near  presence  of 
several  of  the  younger  men. 

Hassan  was  astounded  for  the  moment.  His  cheek 
tingled  with  the  sharpness  of  the  blow;  but  that  was 
as  nothing  to  the  indignity. 

"What  wrong  have  I  done  thee,  that  thou  smitest 
me? "  he  cried. 

Hampered  as  he  was,  he  raised  himself  to  his  full 
height,  and  in  a  flash,  hardly  knowing  what  he  did, 
for  anger,  dealt  such  a  buffet  in  return,  with  his  open 
hand  upon  the  face,  as  sent  Abd-el-nour  staggering 
backward  to  the  ground. 

It  is  seldom  or  never,  even  in  severe  fights,  that  the 


160  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

natives  strike  with  the  clenched  fist.  They  generally 
are  satisfied  with  buffeting,  or  smiting  with  the  palms 
of  their  hands. 

Thus,  indeed,  was  Christ  smitten,  when  they  mocked 
him,  in  the  palace  of  the  high  priest. 

"Art  thou  called  Abd-el-nour —  Servant  of  Light?  " 
retorted  Hassan,  with  the  greatest  sarcasm.  "  More 
rightfully  shouldst  thou  be  named  Servant  of  Darkness, 
for  thou  art  the  child  of  Iblees — the  Evil  One." 

Abd-el-nour,  as  with  difficulty  he  arose,  clutched  a 
heavy  stone,  which  he  prepared  to  hurl  at  Hassan. 
But  the  latter,  perceiving  the  act,  had  promptly  picked 
up  a  similar  missile,  and  stood  ready  to  retaliate  in 
kind. 

The  vindictive  man  of  Malha,  seeing  he  was  detected, 
and  fearing  the  result,  slowly  unclosed  his  fingers,  and 
cautiously  and  regretfully  let  the  stone  which  he  held 
drop. 

Chalil  had,  meanwhile,  rushed  up  to  Hassan,  and, 
catching  hold  of  his  arm,  besought  of  him  not  to  throw 
the  stone  he  stood  ready  to  hurl. 

"It  would  be  madness,"  he  said.  "It  would  bring 
all  of  them  upon  us  in  an  instant.  And  what  should 
we  be  among  so  many  ?  " 

As  he  spoke  he  gently  took  the  fragment  of  rock 
from  the  hand  of  Hassan,  who  willingly  yielded  it  up. 

"Thou  art  right,"  he  said  to  Chalil.  "My  wrath  got 
the  better  of  my  judgment.  His  insults  are  hard  to 
bear." 

But  Abd-el-nour's  anger  was  now  intensified. 

"Get  thee  gone.  We  want  none  of  thee,  waladu'z- 
zina — illegitimate  one  —  bastard,"  he  shouted. 

Hassan,  already  descending,  again  paused.  The 
bitter  cruel  taunt  stung  him  all  the  more  keenly  in 
that  he  had  never  actually  known  his  parents;  as 
already  has  been  shown,  they  having  died  when  he  was 
a  mere  infant.  To  him  they  were  a  dream  —  an  ideali 
sation.  All  the  more  tender  and  sacred  were  they  to 
him,  because,  for  him,  they  had  never  been  mingled 
with  earthly  cares  or  doings.  And  yet  there  was  a 
mystery  surrounding  the  matter,  at  least  something 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  161 

unusual  about  it  —  a  varying  from  the  ordinary,  that 
made  his  case  exceptional,  perhaps  unpleasantly  so. 
His  childhood  had  not  been  like  that  of  others.  Well 
had  he  known  and  felt  it.  There  is,  spite  of  all  we 
can  do  and  say,  a  blight  —  almost  a  certain  stigma  — 
connected  with  orphanage.  Yet  he  was  a  strong, 
shapely  man,  finer  and  handsomer  than  most  men. 
Nothing  seemed  able  to  prevent  that. 

He  would  have  rushed  back  on  his  persecutor,  hardly 
knowing  what  he  did,  his  innate  stamina  asserting 
itself,  had  not  the  less  impetuous  Chalil  again  checked 
him,  restraining  and  holding  him. 

But  he  could  not  prevent  his  calling  to  Abd-el-nour: 

"  Were  it  not  for  thy  years,  thou  son  of  perdition,  I 
should  have  dealt  more  severely  with  thee. " 

To  this  was  returned  the  repeated  slur,  yelled  more 
loudly  than  ever,  — 

"  Waladu'z-zina.     Waladu'z-zina. " 

It  was  maddening. 

"  Hearest  thou  what  he  says  ?  Oh,  the  cursedness  of 
it!  Unhand  me,  Chalil.  Let  me  get  at  him." 

"No,  no;  thou  must  not.  What  matter  the  words 
of  such  an  one  as  he  ?  No  more  than  the  cry  of  the 
partridge  in  the  pasture,  the  twittering  of  the  sparrow 
on  the  house-top,  or  the  whistling  of  the  wind  blowing 
over  the  reeds.  Who  careth  or  knoweth  what  they 
say  ?  " 

"My  blood  boils  to  hear  him.      I  cannot  bear  it." 

It  was  all  Chalil  could  do  to  control  and  pacify  his 
justly  enraged  companion. 

"  Hassan,  let  us  get  hence,  out  of  this  corrupt  place, 
without  delay,  lest  worse  befall  us.  It  will  be  dark 
before  we  get  half-way  back. " 

So  Chalil  besought  his  friend ;  and  Hassan,  loving 
him  well-nigh  as  his  own  soul,  hearkened  to  his  voice, 
to  do  as  he  advised. 

They  had  proceeded  but  a  short  way  clown  the  pre 
cipitous  tell,  when  a  shower  of  stones  fell  upon  them. 

"They  come  thick  as  hail,"  said  Hassan. 

"This  is  what  I  feared,"  returned  the  young  sheik. 

Hassan  could  see  that  the  missiles  were  thrown  by 


1 62  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

the  young  people  of  the  village;  who,  doubtless,  were 
incited  thereto,  if  not  aided  and  abetted,  by  their 
elders. 

Fortunately,  so  far,  the  stones  had  failed  to  do  any 
serious  injury;  all  but  a  few  falling  short,  or  flying 
wide  of  the  mark. 

A  succeeding  volley  proved  to  be  more  effective.     A 
third  one  was  still  more  dangerous.      It  evidently  pro-  < 
ceeded    from   nearer   quarters,    showing   the   fugitives 
were  pursued.      Then   came  a  much   closer  and  fierce 
attack.      Both  Hassan  and  Chalil  were  struck   several  i 
times,   the  former  receiving  a  wound  upon  the  head. 
There  followed   the  sharp  crack  of  a  rifle. 

Hassan,  having  been  the  means  of  drawing  Chalil 
into  the  trouble,  felt  in  honour  bound  to  bring  him 
safely  through,  if  possible.  He  insisted  upon  his  going 
in  advance,  repeatedly  urging  him  forward,  while  he 
himself  fell  back,  and  acted  as  a  check  or  rear-guard, 
receiving  the  brunt  of  the  battle. 

In  the  scuffle  in  the  village,  they  had  lost  their  pole; 
so  Hassan  had  thrown  the  leopard  skin  over  his 
shoulders,  and  thus  carried  it.  He  said  it  was  like  a 
shield,  and  protected  him  from  the  stones.  But,  no 
doubt,  it  was  an  encumbrance  to  him.  Yet  he  would 
not  leave  it  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  It  would  be 
like  deserting  a  battle-flag. 

Half-crazed  from  the  blow  on  his  head,  and  partly 
blinded  by  the  blood  which  trickled  over  his  face  from 
the  wound,  he  made  a  desperate  charge  upon  their 
assailants,  who  for  the  moment  having  gathered  confi 
dence,  had  approached  nearer  than  usual. 

They,  however,  had  seen  him  grasp  a  fragment  of 
rock  as  he  turned ;  and,  seized  with  a  sudden  panic,  the 
treacherous  fanatic  creatures  fled  incontinently,  nor 
paused  till  they  reached  near  to  the  summit  of  the 
hill. 

This  gave  Hassan  and  Chalil  an  opportunity  to  escape; 
and  though  the  assaults  from  Malha  were  renewed, 
they  were  now  comparatively  harmless. 

True,  for  a  time,  the  stones  flew  around  with  such 
liveliness,  it  might  appear  as  if  the  words  of  the  old 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  163 

psalm  were  put  in  action,  — •  that  the  mountains  had 
begun  to  skip  like  rams,  and  the  little  hills  like  lambs. 
But  this  materialisation  of  the  ancient  text  was  not  of 
long  continuance. 

The  two  young  men  felt  thankful  when  they  reached 
the  foot  of  the  tell ;  and,  battered  and  weary  as  they 
were,  they  courageously  struck  out  across  the  rocky 
plain  toward  their  destination ;  though  this,  for  a  time, 
exposed  them  to  the  rifle-shots  which,  at  intervals, 
pursued  them  from  Malha. 


CHAPTER   XV 

"  TT  was  desperate  work  while  it  lasted,"  was  Hassan's 

_|_     first  remark  on  getting  away. 

"Thou  sayest,"  acquiesced  Challl.  "There  were 
times  when  I  feared  for  thy  life." 

"And  I  for  thine.     Truly  they  pressed  us  sore." 

"  It  was  not  because  of  their  will  that  they  did  not 
make  an  end  of  us." 

"Ay.      They  tried  hard  enough. " 

"Kismet." 

"Yea,  Kismet,  Challl.     It  is  written." 

"Yet  it  was  all  for  naught,"  rejoined  the  young 
sheik,  "that  we  adventured  so  much." 

"  Who  knoweth  ?  " 

"Nay;  but  that  is  how  it  looks." 

"  What  meanest  thou  ?  Dost  thou  think  because  of 
what  has  come  to  pass,  through  the  base  counsel  of 
mine  enemies,  I  shall  desist  from  my  purpose,  and 
yield  up  Hilwe  to  Abd-el-nour?  That  be  far  from  me." 

Chalil  sighed. 

"  Poor  Hilwe,"  he  said.  "  She  seemed  in  despair.  I 
fear  it  will  go  hard  with  her." 

"Didst  thou  see  her?" 

"Even  so.  Didst  thou  not  hear  her  cry?  And 
didst  thou  not  see  when  Ismail  and  Fatima  thrust  her 
back  when  she  would  fly  to  us  ? " 


164  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

It  so  happened  that  from  the  position  where  Hassan 
stood  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  observe  the  pitiful 
scene  which  was  distinctly  visible  to  Chalil. 

"I  neither  heard  nor  saw  what  thou  describest," 
confessed  Hassan,  with  evident  chagrin.  "Art  thou 
sure  thou  art  not  mistaken?" 

"As  sure  as  that  I  live." 

Hassan  hung  his  head  thoughtfully. 

"Then  thou  sawest  what  I  did  not  see." 

Chalil  made  no  answer.  But  Hassan  heard  him  sigh 
more  deeply  than  ever. 

"  Perhaps  the  love  I  bear  her  —  the  love  that  con 
sumes  my  very  heart  —  makes  me  hear  and  see  and  feel 
what  otherwise  I  could  not,"  thought  the  young  sheik. 
"But  nothing  of  this  must  Hassan  or  Hilwe  know." 

Every  word  he  had  spoken  in  Malha  for  his  friend 
had  been  baptised  in  his  heart's  blood.  It  was  truly  a 
sevenfold  test  of  his  friendship. 

Of  all  who  heard  Chalil,  not  one,  not  even  Hassan, 
had  the  least  suspicion  of  the  pain  he  felt.  It  was 
like  the  bulbul  that  sings  the  sweeter  for  the  thorn 
against  its  breast.  For  Chalil  loved  Hilwe  all  the 
more  passionately  for  the  desperateness  and  hopeless 
ness  of  his  case.  And  it  took  all  his  fealty  to  his 
friend  to  sustain  him  through  the  cruel  ordeal. 

In  pleading  for  Hassan,  had  not  the  devoted  Chalil 
been  inspired  by  his  own  love  ? 

How  different  were  the  thoughts  and  feelings  of  the 
two  men  this  evening,  as,  in  returning,  they  traversed 
the  wild  rock-strewn  soil,  —  how  different  from  what 
they  had  been  so  lately,  when,  to  save  Hilwe  from 
her  impending  fate,  with  high  hopes,  not,  indeed, 
untempered  with  a  certain  leaven  of  solicitude,  they 
had  strode  over  the  same  ground  on  their  way  up  to 
Malha.  The  very  landscape  took  on  a  more  gloomy, 
desolate  aspect,  and  the  long,  wavering,  attenuated 
shadows  of  pointed  cliff  or  solitary  olive-tree,  cast  by 
the  fast  declining  sun,  seemed  like  gigantic  warning 
fingers  of  portentous  doom  shaken  at  them. 

In  their  hurried  retreat,  the  wounded  Hassan  had 
begun  to  show  evidences  of  exhaustion. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  165 

.  More  than  once  he  had  stumbled,  and  at  last  would 
have  fallen,  had  he  not  been  caught  in  the  arms  of  the 
faithful  Chalil,  who  now  perceived  the  serious  condi 
tion  of  his  friend,  and  insisted  on  relieving  him  of  the 
leopard  skin.  This  he  had  previously  attempted;  but 
Hassan  had  resisted;  possibly  with  a  feeling  of  pride 
and  reluctance  to  give  up  what  hitherto  he  had  carried 
as  a  trophy  and  protection,  now  that  it  had  become 
merely  a  burden. 

It  came  to  pass  that  when  the  immediate  pressure 
of  the  necessity  for  resistance  was  removed,  he  felt  the 
accumulated  effect  of  all  he  had  gone  through  during 
that  eventful  day.  He  suffered  also  from  the  peculiar 
faintness  caused  by  the  loss  of  blood.  For  Chalil  dis 
covered  that  the  wound  in  the  head,  under  the  rude  and 
hasty  bandaging  it  had  received,  had,  unknown  to 
them,  been  rather  freely  bleeding. 

He  now  stanched  and  dressed  the  wound,  to  the 
best  of  his  ability,  while  Hassan  sat,  patiently  enough, 
on  one  of  the  smaller  boulders  which  lay  strewn 
around  looking  like  a  flock  of  sheep. 

"Didst  thou  know  thou  wast  bleeding?"  asked 
Chalil. 

"  I  saw  some  drops  of  blood  fall  on  the  stones  when 
I  stooped  over.  But  I  thought  nothing  of  it.  I  sup 
pose  I  have  left  a  red  trail  behind  me." 

Chalil  saw  that  this  was  so.  In  passing  along  so 
rapidly,  they  had  not  observed  it  at  the  time. 

"I  ought  to  have  noticed  it,"  he  said,  and  blamed 
himself. 

"  It  is  nothing.  Blame  not  thyself.  Why  shouldst 
thou?  I  won't  miss  the  loss  of  that  much  blood.  It 
will  do  me  good.  I  felt  the  moisture  running  down 
my  back  and  sides,  but  I  didn't  think  it  was  that.  I 
took  it  for  sweat. " 

Hassan  laughed  reassuringly. 

"And  now  I  perceive  the  crimson  stains  have  even 
streamed  down  thy  legs.  Between  the  leopard  and  the 
people  of  Malha,  surely  thou  hast  been  mauled." 

"  I  shall  be  none  the  worse  for  it,  but  mayhap  the 
better.  I  tell  thee  it  is  nothing.  Though  if  we  could 


1 66  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

reach  the  Giant  Rock  before  dark,  it  would  be  well. 
We  could  stop  there  overnight." 

"Yea,  thou  sayest;  it  would  be  well.  Thou  couldst 
never  get  to  Bettir,  in  thy  present  state,  in  the  darkness. 
And  the  night  comes  on  apace.  Thou  couldst  not  even 
reach  the  ain  on  this  side  of  the  wady." 

"  Perhaps  thou  art  right ;  though  I  believe  it  was  but 
a  passing  faintness  that  came  upon  me." 

The  rest,  and  the  stanching  of  the  wound  in  his 
head,  had  the  effect  of  greatly  reviving  Hassan,  and  he 
wanted  to  go  forward  at  once. 

"  If  we  can  get  to  the  great  rock,"  he  said,  "  we  shall 
do  well  enough." 

"  I  would  we  were  there,"  said  Chalil,  who  feared  his 
friend  might  again  give  out,  before  reaching  shelter  for 
the  night. 

"  Then,  in  the  name  of  Allah,  the  Most  Merciful,  let 
us  go,"  returned  Hassan. 

So  once  more  they  set  out. 

This  time  they  walked  hand  in  hand,  as  do  men  who 
love  each  other,  and  are  more  than  brothers  in  their 
friendship. 

The  red  lights  had  flamed  up  and  died  out  again  and 
again  in  the  western  sky,  and  great  patches  and  hol 
lows  of  sombre  violet  penumbra,  deepening  into  black, 
were  gathering  and  spreading  over  the  land  everywhere. 
These,  slowly  but  surely,  were  swallowing  up  the  little 
that  remained  of  the  last  gleams  of  day,  by  the  time 
they  reached  the  shelter  of  the  great  rock. 

As  they  approached  the  Giant  Rock  —  near  yet  re 
mote,  material  yet  spiritual  in  its  grandeur  and  salvatory 
power — the  rugged  mass  rose  before  them  in  the  dusk, 
high  and  shadowy,  like  a  vast  living  personality,  vague 
yet  mighty.  It  had  stood  thus,  through  countless  ages, 
the  symbol  of  one  able  and  willing  to  save.  There  was  a 
cleft,  like  a  gaping  wound,  in  one  side  of  the  rock.  This  • 
was  not  a  cave,  but  a  deep  fissure  having  a  narrow  level 
space  within  it,  in  which  several  men  could  easily  find 
shelter.  It  was  a  well-known  refuge,  often  resorted  to 
in  storms  by  the  shepherds,  as  a  retreat  to  hide  in  till 
the  tempest  be  past ;  or,  as  in  the  present  instance,  by 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  167 

belated  wayfarers  who  sought  it  as  affording  security 
and  a  resting-place  for  the  night. 

Here  it  was  that  Hassan  and  Chalil,  climbing  up  into 
the  cleft,  were  only  too  glad  to  find  themselves.  Spread 
ing  the  leopard's  skin  upon  the  rock,  Chalil  placed  a 
block  of  stone  beneath  it  at  one  end,  which  answered 
for  a  pillow;  and,  wrapped  in  their  abais,  they  lay  down 
together,  side  by  side,  in  the  darkness. 

What  a  relief — what  a  gladness  it  was,  after  all  they 
had  gone  through ! 

Before  lying  down,  Chalil  had  re-examined  Hassan's 
wounds,  and  replaced  the  bandages. 

"  Art  thou  better?  "  he  asked. 

"  Yea.  I  never  felt  better  in  all  my  life,"  came 
Hassan's  reply.  "  And  thou?  How  dost  thou  feel?" 

"  Oh,  I  escaped  with  but  a  few  trifling  bruises.  I 
feared  thy  loss  of  blood." 

"  I  feel  as  strong  as  a  young  bull  of  the  herds.  Thou 
needest  have  no  fear  for  me." 

"  It  is  well." 

"  Believest  thou  what  I  say?  See  how  I  take  hold  of 
thee." 

Hassan  playfully  grasped  his  friend  over  the  arms  and 
shoulders,  holding  him  as  in  a  vice. 

A  slight  struggle  on  the  part  of  Chalil  ended  in  his 
submitting  with  a  laugh. 

"  There  !  "  he  cried.     "  I  believe." 

Hassan  was  much  the  stronger  of  the  two ;  and  in 
their  friendly  contests  from  boyhood  up,  generally  had 
maintained  the  supremacy.  And  he  now  was  tenacious 
lest  it  should  appear  that  what  he  had  passed  through 
had  weakened  him,  or  in  any  way  impaired  his  strength 
—  the  great  pride  of  man. 

The  healthy,  temperate  peasant  of  Palestine  has  stored 
away  within  that  lithe  and  graceful  body  of  his  a  wonder 
ful  reserve  of  endurance  and  recuperative  force.  He 
walks  around  in  the  burning  fevers  of  the  country,  when 
they  fasten  on  him,  with  his  pulse  at  an  unbelievable 
height.  He  bears  pain  with  a  stoical  and  fatalistic 
calm,  and  under  severe  surgical  operations,  or  acci 
dental  or  other  injuries  of  moment,  exhibits  a  com- 


i68  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

posure  which,  though  sometimes  attributed  to  obtuseness 
or  want  of  sensitiveness,  might  rather  be  ascribed  to 
something  very  like  fortitude  and  manly  resolution.  His 
wounds  and  sores,  too,  heal  with  an  ease  and  unusual 
rapidity,  often  under  the  crudest  or  most  barbarous 
treatment.  This,  probably,  is  due  largely  to  his  simple 
and  natural  mode  of  living. 

Some  of  the  native  surgery  is  quite  of  a  surprising 
character.  For  instance,  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  a 
fellah  having  the  surface  of  his  entire  back  branded 
with  a  red-hot  iron —  a  favourite  remedy  for  rheumatism. 
The  repeated  application  of  the  iron  to  the  shrivelled, 
sizzling  flesh,  is  borne  by  him  without  the  least  shrink 
ing,  or  the  slightest  murmur.  And  though  modern 
science  informs  us  that  the  pain  endured  under  such 
circumstances  is  far  less  than  it  has  the  appearance  of 
being,  and  that  the  contact  of  the  branding-iron  has 
the  effect  of  immediately  dulling  or  destroying  the  finer 
susceptibility  of  the  nerves,  there  still  must  remain 
an  amount  of  torture  not  easily  submitted  to  with 
equanimity. 

So  Hassan,  rejoicing  in  the  fulness  of  his  manly 
strength,  was  not  willing  to  admit  that  his  late  experi 
ences  had  in  any  manner  or  degree  abated  or  injured 
even  temporarily  the  vigour  of  his  natural  powers.  Nor 
in  reality  had  they  done  so  to  any  material  extent.  Of 
this  he  was  prepared  to  give,  and  did  give,  Chili!  ample 
proof,  reiterating  that  the  blood-letting,  if  anything,  was 
salutary. 

They  had  cast  themselves  down  to  rest  in  that  wel 
come  cleft  in  the  rock  with  the  abandon  of  men  who 
are  thoroughly  weary,  —  too  tired,  at  first,  to  feel  hungry, 
or  think  of  eating.  Yet,  fatigued  as  they  were,  they  did 
not  fall  asleep.  The  excited  state  of  their  minds,  the 
result  of  all  they  had  undergone,  had  the  effect  of  keep 
ing  them  awake.  Their  sleep  might  be  said  to  have 
gone  astray. 

Neither  was  the  barking  of  the  jackals  in  the  neigh 
bouring  cliffs  conducive  to  repose.  The  sharp  reiterant 
yelps  of  those  noisy  prowlers,  hunting  in  packs,  con 
tinued  to  disturb  the  silence  of  the  night ;  and  would 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  169 

have  gone  far  to  tax  the  somniferous  qualities  of  the 
fabled  Seven  Sleepers  themselves,  had  they  been  ex 
posed  to  such  merciless  influences. 

But,  jackals  or  no  jackals,  the  case  probably  would 
have  been  the  same.  With  so  much  to  think  of  and 
talk  about,  once  the  young  men  began,  they  gave  free 
rein  to  the  inclination  and  the  indulgence  of  the  imagi 
native  faculty,  and  there  appeared  to  be  no  end  to  it. 

After  some  restless  tossing,  especially  on  the  part  of 
Hassan,  Chalil  complained  of  being  hungry,  and  said 
he  believed  if  they  had  something  to  eat,  they  could 
sleep  soundly. 

"I,  too,  am  hungry,  and  also  am  chilly;  and  I  am 
more  thirsty  than  either,"  said  Hassan.  "  And  that 
reminds  me  that  there  is  left  in  my  scrip  a  cake  of  the 
bread  with  a  handful  of  the  olives  and  figs,  of  the  por 
tion  the  lad  last  brought  me  from  Bettir.  It  is  not 
much  ;  but  may  help  to  sustain  us  till  the  morning.  Oh, 
that  we  had  a  draught  of  the  water  from  Ain  Karim  ;  or 
better  still,  from  our  own  village." 

"  Let  us  get  down  and  make  a  fire  to  warm  thee," 
suggested  Chalil,  "  and  we  can  eat  by  it.  I  saw  some 
dried  brush  on  the  other  side." 

"  It  is  well  said.  No  doubt  the  brush  is  some  of  that 
I  left  there  for  Hilwe,  and  which  she  could  not  carry 
away." 

While  Hassan  spoke,  they  had  slid  to  the  base  of  the 
rock;  and  Chalil  brought  some  of  the  dried  fuel,  which 
was  close  at  hand,  and  began  laying  it  for  a  fire.  In 
the  mean  time  the  former  commenced  striking  sparks 
with  the  flint  and  steel  always  carried  by  the  peasant  of 
the  country,  and  with  the  aid  of  the  ready  tinder  soon 
had  a  comfortable  blaze. 

As  they  sat,  side  by  side,  warming  themselves,  the 
firelight,  streaming  full  on  Hassan,  revealed  the  gouts  of 
blood  which  had  gathered  and  dried  on  his  forehead, 
and  had  matted  and  stiffened  into  points  the  locks  of 
his  hair.  He  looked  like  a  warrior  returned  from  the 
battlefield  where  his  cause  had  been  lost.  This  gave  to 
his  handsome  features  a  pathetic  sadness,  which  touched 
Chalil  with  a  feeling  of  the  tenderest  sympathy. 


lyo  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

How  strange  was  the  bond  uniting  these  two !  How 
peculiar  the  affection  which,  day  by  day  and  year  by 
year,  from  their  boyhood  up,  had  grown  and  strength 
ened,  binding  them  together  as  with  bands  of  steel ! 

It  was  almost  amusing  to  see  how  frequently  Hassan, 
with  all  his  dominancy,  was  obedient  and  compliant 
when  brought  in  contact  with  Chalil,  often  deferring  to 
the  latter's  judgment.  And  yet,  in  experience  and  in 
formation,  Hassan  was  in  no  degree  inferior  to  Chalil, 
but  the  reverse. 

The  one  was  of  an  ardent  temperament  —  impulsive, 
imperative.  Chalil,  as  deeply  passionate,  was  more 
sympathetic  and  tender.  There  was,  in  fact,  an  emo 
tional  phase  to  his  character,  united  to  an  intuitiveness 
which  was  almost  feminine.  The  aesthetic  grace  of  all 
his  movements  as  well  as  the  refined  and  pleasing  regu 
larity  of  his  features,  but,  above  all,  the  charm  of  those 
amber-brown  eyes,  now  languidly  sensitive,  now  ablaze 
with  ophidian-like  scintillation,  more  than  hinted  at  — 
gave  outward  evidence  of  this. 

But,  as  is  shown,  despite  the  masterful  disposition  and 
determination  of  Hassan,  he  often  was  found  yielding  to 
the  gentle  persuasions  of  the  more  amiable  Chalil ;  it 
even  gratified  him  to  give  way  to  the  decided  yet  quietly 
expressed  opinions  of  the  latter;  nor  did  he  feel  low 
ered  in  so  doing,  —  as  a  man  does  not  feel  hurt  or 
degraded  in  consenting  to  the  soft  solicitations  of  his 
wife. 

Both  of  the  friends  had  all  the  fervour  of  youth;  a 
quality,  perhaps,  more  fully  possessed  through  life  by 
the  men  of  Palestine  than  by  most  men  of  other  nation 
alities  with  any  pretence  to  being  civilised. 

The  fellah  is  apt  to  be  very  much  a  child  of  larger 
growth.  Light-hearted,  and  having  the  savage's  hatred 
of  law  and  order,  except  where  of  his  own  ordinance  and 
acceptance,  and  though  early  experienced  in  what  per 
tains  to  the  natural  man,  and  in  advanced  age  he  may 
be  wise  after  a  certain  kind,  he  is  ever  and  always  fer 
vid,  and  when  least  expected  may  be  found  giving 
way  to  the  impulsiveness  and  enthusiasm  as  well  as  the 
self-indulgence  of  youth.  He  is  a  survival  of  the 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  171 

incipient  man.  He  is  of  kin  with  his  surroundings,  — 
out  of  place  when  removed  from  his  own  environment. 
The  passionate  earnestness  of  the  child  remains  in  him, 
even  after  he  has  lost  his  innocence. 

There  are  times,  in  a  world  like  this,  when  it  would 
seem  as  if  a  man  must  be  very  simple  or  very  wise  —  or 
perhaps  both  —  in  order  to  do  right.  The  harmlessness 
of  the  dove  may  sometimes  be  in  place.  Then,  again, 
the  wisdom  of  the  serpent  is  demanded.  But  to  be,  in 
the  full  sense  of  the  word,  a  man,  is  the  one  glorious, 
unimpeachable  attainment.  It  is  what  we  were  intended 
to  be  —  were  made  to  be.  And  after  man  —  the  angel. 

But  can  we  not  be  angels  now  —  here?  comes  the 
question  from  that  troublesome  interrogator  who  will 
not  be  still. 

Ah !  Have  I  not  often  told  thee  we  are  neither 
saints  nor  angels?  Poor  heart!  Poor  fool!  Be  a 
man !  That  is  the  best  thou  canst  be. 

Chalil  and  Hassan,  with  all  their  faults  and  short 
comings,  were  "  men  and  brethren,"  according  to  their 
light  and  generation.  If  it  was  said  the  standard  was 
not  the  highest,  it  might  also  be  added,  they  compared 
not  unfavourably  with  the  men  of  the  land,  and  their  im 
perfections  were  the  failings  of  their  people  and  of  their 
race.  They  were  men,  but  with  the  heart  and  brain  of 
the  peasant. 

They  had  made  their  fire  near  a  large  fragment  of 
fallen  rock,  which  was  broad  and  flat  on  top,  and  which 
served  them  as  seat  as  well  as  table  for  their  scanty 
meal.  The  thick  darkness,  closing  around  them,  gave 
their  illuminated  figures  the  effect  of  highly-coloured 
mosaics  set  in  black  onyx.  It  was  intensely  picturesque. 

Having  no  water,  they  manifestly  could  not  perform 
the  customary  ablution.  But  they  had  used  instead  the 
sand  which,  blown  in  eddies  by  the  winds,  had  gathered 
at  the  foot  of  the  rock.  And  sand,  in  a  case  like  this, 
the  Moslem  religious  law  permits  to  be  employed  as  a 
substitute  for  water. 

With  the  sand,  therefore,  they  had  cleansed  themselves 
as  far  as  possible,  as  do  the  faithful  when  in  the  desert 
where  there  is  no  water,  and  where  only  dust  or  sand  is 


Hassan:  a  Fellah 

found  for  the  purpose.  They  had  rubbed  with  it  their 
faces,  and  their  hands  and  arms,  repeating  the  prescribed 
ejaculations,  which  is  considered  sufficient,  under  the  cir 
cumstances.  It  was  hard  for  them  to  eat  with  unwashen 
hands,  or  to  pray  without  purification. 

With  the  courtesy  which  ordinarily  pertains  to  this 
people,  recognising  invariably  any  distinction  of  rank  or 
position,  however  slight,  Hassan,  notwithstanding  the 
great  familiarity  of  the  two,  on  taking  the  bread  from 
his  pouch,  had  handed  it  for  distribution  to  Chalil.  He 
also  gave  him  the  few  figs  and  olives  which  had  been 
saved  from  his  morning  meal. 

The  bread  was  the  flat  circular  cake  of  the  country, 
baked  with  the  fire  made  of  the  residuum  —  the  dried 
refuse  of  the  olives,  left  after  the  oil  is  pressed  out,  and 
which  is  carefully  gathered,  and  kept  for  that  purpose. 
The  principal  food  of  the  fellah,  to  whom  it  is,  in  a 
peculiar  sense,  the  staff  of  life,  the  main  support  of 
his  existence,  this  bread  may  well  have  for  him  almost  a 
sacred  meaning,  and  be  symbolic  of  life  itself. 

Though  dark,  well-nigh  to  blackness,  it  was  to  them 
inexpressibly  sweet  and  nourishing,  especially  in  their 
present  hunger. 

Chalil  at  once  assumed  the  gentle  office  which  had 
become  his  duty.  Taking  the  bread  in  his  hands,  he 
bent  his  head  and  said  some  few  words  of  blessing,  of 
thanksgiving,  and  of  praise  —  some  simple  ascription  to 
Allah.  Then  breaking  the  bread,  he  divided  it  between 
them,  giving  Hassan  the  larger  portion.  Likewise  he 
gave  to  him  of  the  olives  and  the  figs. 

But  Hassan  would  not  have  it  so. 

"  My  brother,  thou  hast  defrauded  thyself,"  he  said. 
"  Thou  hast  given  me  the  goodly  share,  and  kept  but 
little  for  thy  portion." 

"  It  is  sufficient,  my  brother,"  was  Chain's  quiet 
answer. 

"Nay;  but  I  cannot  have  it  so,"  returned  Hassan, 
insisting  upon  a  more  equitable  division. 

"  It  is  all  right,  I  tell  thee,  Hassan.     It  is  well." 

"  How  can  I  eat  what  thou  hast  given  me,  while  I  see 
thee  with  so  little?  " 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  173 

But  Chalil  refused  to  accept  the  portion  which  Hassan 
so  urgently  was  returning. 

"  Suffer  it  to  be  so,  Hassan,"  said  the  young  sheik, 
in  a  tone  meant  to  be  decisive,  and  as  if  ending  the 
question. 

"  Wilt  thou  not  be  persuaded?" 

"Thy  share  is  no  more  for  thee  than  is  mine  for  me." 

"  How  can  that  be?  "  exclaimed  Hassan,  impetuously. 

"  Thou  needest  it  more  than  I  do.  It  is  enough.  Say 
not  another  word." 

Was  there  not  here  the  eucharistic  grace?  Who  knows 
how  much  of  the  spirit  of  a  true  and  holy  sacrament 
lingered  in  the  kindly  act  —  how  much  of  the  spon 
taneous  thanksgiving,  the  sublime  self-abnegation  of 
the  Divine  Man?  It  is  often  in  small  and  simple  deeds 
that  the  true  character  is  shown. 

At  the  little  mountain  town  of  Nazareth  there  is,  at 
this  day,  an  enormous  boulder,  of  such  peculiar  propor 
tions  as  invariably  to  excite  the  remark  of  the  stranger 
on  his  first  seeing  it.  Fashioned  and  carved  by  Nature's 
hand  alone,  its  flat  and  smooth  upper  surface,  sufficiently 
large  to  accommodate  more  than  thirteen  men  when 
seated  upon  it,  gives  it  somewhat  the  appearance  of  a 
tible,  as  it  lies,  slightly  embedded,  on  the  slope  of  the 
hill.  Upon  this  boulder  —  this  table  of  stone  —  tradition 
says,  it  was  the  habit  of  Christ  to  break  bread  with  his 
twelve  disciples. 

It  is  easy  to  believe  such  a  tradition. 

How  sweet  such  a  meal !  —  To  eat  the  bread  broken 
by  the  hands  of  the  God-Man !  Yet  we  can  do  this 
every  day  if  we  remember  him. 

It  was  a  double  breaking  —  the  breaking  of  the  bread 
—  the  breaking  of  the  fast.  It  also  had  a  double  mean 
ing —  the  feeding  and  nourishing  of  the  body,  and, 
above  all,  the  esoteric  significance,  of  which  it  was  the 
outward  and  visible  sign  —  the  sustaining  and  elevating 
of  the  spirit  and  the  soul  through  the  communication  of 
the  Word. 

As  these  two  young  men,  sinful  as  they  were,  sat  and 
ate  their  slender  meal,  even  so  it  was  that,  nearly  two 
thousand  years  before,  that  chosen  group  —  one  of  whom 


174  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

was  a  traitor,  the  son  of  perdition  —  on  the  bare  rock 
(that  table  of  stone  on  which  had  been  graven  the  "  new 
commandment,"  teaching  the  brotherhood  of  man, 
"  Love  one  another  ")  had  sat  and  eaten  in  the  open  air, 
with  the  holy  grandeur  of  simplicity,  free  of  all  belittling 
sacerdotal  pomp  and  splendour.  And  he,  the  Great  One, 
the  Divine  Love,  had  sanctified  the  frugal  repast,  and 
made  it  a  love-feast,  an  agape,  a  sacrament  He  who 
had  said :  "  Whether  ye  eat  or  drink,  or  whatsoever  ye 
do,  do  all  for  the  glory  of  God,"  added :  "  This  is  my 
body.  This  is  my  blood.  This  do  in  remembrance  of 
me." 

Surely  it  is  not  the  mere  act,  but  the  spirit  of  the  act, 
which  glorifies.  It  is  the  spirit  which  quickens.  The 
flesh  profiteth  nothing. 

Although  Hassan  had  acquiesced  in  Chain's  insistence 
regarding  the  distribution  of  the  bread,  —  as  they  half 
reclined,  leaning  against  each  other,  on  the  couch  which 
Nature  had  prepared  for  them,  he  took  the  opportunity 
of,  from  time  to  time,  breaking  off  pieces  of  the  food 
and  putting  them,  with  many  an  affectionate  epithet, 
into  his  friend's  mouth,  according  to  the  brotherly  Ori 
ental  custom.  In  this  way  he  had  managed  to  counter 
act,  to  some  extent,  the  effect  of  Chalil's  generosity,  even 
though  the  courteous  attention  had  been  returned.  Yet 
had  he  not  been  successful  in  his  fraternal  purpose,  the 
lovingkindness  of  the  act — the  feeling  which  had 
gendered  it  would  still  have  remained  to  comfort  and 
strengthen. 

As  Hassan  placed  a  morsel  of  the  bread  within 
Chalil's  lips,  he  said : 

"  Surely,  Chalil,  until  the  appointed  time  arrives,  the 
labours  of  one's  friends  are  of  no  avail,  else  would  thy 
words  have  prevailed  this  day." 

"  Yea,  all  is  in  the  hands  of  Allah,"  responded  the 
young  sheik.  "  Yet,  when  the  camel  wants  straw  he 
stretches  out  his  neck." 

"  Ay,"  returned  Hassan  ;  "  and  he  is  a  lazy  fellow  who 
sits  at  the  foot  of  the  date-tree,  and  climbs  not  to  get  the 
fruit,  waiting  till  it  falls  in  his  lap." 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  175 


CHAPTER   XVI 

TO    two   strong,  lusty   young   men,   as    active    and 
hungry  as  were  these,  the  meal  could  scarcely 
have  been  a  satisfying  one.     Besides,  it  had  the  effect  of 
intensifying  their  thirst.     Hassan  felt  this  all  the  more 
because  of  his  wound,  which  made  him  feverish. 

"  Would  that  I  had  a  draught  of  the  water  of  Malha  or 
Ain  Karim  to  assuage  my  thirst !  "  he  cried. 

"Or,  rather,  of  the  fountain  of  Bettir,"  interposed  Chalil. 
"There  is  none  like  that  for  coolness  and  for  sweetness." 

As  thirsty  people  are  apt  to  do,  Hassan  thought  of  all 
the  streams  and  pools  and  watercourses  he  had  ever 
seen,  and  how  he  had  wantonly  bathed  in  the  lavish 
element.  He  remembered  how  he  had  splashed  in  it, 
and  wasted  it,  and  come  dripping  from  it,  and  the  many 
times  he  had  stooped  and  drunk  freely  and  carelessly 
from  the  rivulet  out  of  the  rocky  cliff,  by  the  hillside 
where  he  kept  his  sheep ;  and,  as  in  a  dream,  he  saw  the 
great  fountains  that  sent  an  abundant  silvery  flood  over 
the  aqueduct  at  Bettir.  How  often  he  had  rested  in  its 
shade,  beneath  the  great  arch,  where  the  moss  and  ferns 
grow  so  thickly !  How  plainly  it  rose  before  him  !  Yet 
he  had  not  a  drop  to  cool  his  tongue.  But,  more  than 
all,  he  recalled  the  day  when  first  he  had  spoken  to 
Hilwe,  and  she  had  given  him  to  drink  of  the  freshly 
drawn  water  of  Malha  from  her  pitcher. 

"  Ah,  how  satisfying,  how  refreshing  !  How  it  glad 
dened  my  soul !  " 

He  uttered  his  thoughts  aloud:  for  it  seemed  as  if  he 
saw  the  maiden  of  Malha  once  more  before  him,  as  if 
he  held  her  to  him,  while  she  poured  the  living  water, 
through  his  parched  lips,  into  his  heart  —  into  his  very 
soul.  And  he  loved  her  —  loved  her  —  loved  her. 
He  loved  her  as  never  before.  His  whole  life  —  his 
body  and  soul  were  awake  and  afire,  throbbing  and 
thirsting  for  her. 

Suddenly  he  started  from  his  seat,  and  stared  out 
into  the  darkness,  as  if  he  would  see  through  it. 


176 


Hassan :  a  Fellah 


"  She  is  coming.     I  hear  her  footsteps,"  he  cried. 

"  Who  is  coming?  "  asked  Chalil. 

"  Hilwe." 

Chalil  thought  him  feverish,  and  that  his  mind  was 
wandering;  and  taking  hold  of  his  hand,  to  feel  his 
pulse,  he  found  it  of  a  burning  glow,  and  the  pulse-beat 
high  and  almost  too  fast  to  count. 

"Thou  art  consumed  with  fever,"  he  said;  "and  thy 
blood  is  hot  in  thee,  and  plunging  like  a  young  stallion 
of  the  plains.  Lie  down,  and  take  some  rest,  and  I  shall 
cover  thee.  Let  us  get  back  into  the  cleft,  where  we 
can  sleep  till  daybreak,  when  thou  wilt  be  better,  and 
we  can  go  upon  our  way." 

But  Hassan  seemed  not  to  understand. 

"Listen  !  Didst  thou  not  hear?"  he  exclaimed,  after 
another  interval. 

He  stooped,  placing  his  ear  to  the  ground. 

Chalil  shook  his  head  and  smiled. 

"  I  hear  naught,"  he  said. 

He  would  have  detained  Hassan,  but  the  impetuous 
fellow  broke   away  from  him   and  outside  of  the  little 
circle  of  light   into  the  circumambient  darkness,  which 
was  all  the  denser — more  impenetrable  to  the  eye — 
for  that  central  core  of  fire. 

"  O  my  beloved,  wilt  thou  not  stay  me  with  comfort 
ing  words,  and  the  pleasant  water,  as  in  the  day  when 
first  I  asked  thee  to  give  me  to  drink,  and  thou  didst 
not  refuse  me  ?  Sweet  are  the  waters  of  Malha  from  thy 
hand ;  more  to  be  desired  than  the  living  waters  of 
Bettir." 

So  Hassan  murmured  on,  in  a  rambling  incoherent 
manner,  as  if  regardless  of  his  surroundings  —  regardless 
of  everything  but  the  one  idea  which  possessed  him. 

"Did  I  not  tell  thee?  "  he  said.  "  I  hear  her  voice. 
She  is  even  here.  I  behold  her !  " 

Chalil  thought  Hassan  beside  himself. 

"  It  is  his  craving  for  the  water  hath  deranged  him," 
he  said.  "  Would  I  could  find  some  for  him." 

But  the  next  instant,  the  firelight  shone  upon  the 
slim  figure  of  a  girl,  gliding  like  a  spirit  out  of  the 
darkness. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  177 

"  Hassan  !  "  cried  a  clear  treble  voice. 

Chalil  could  scarcely  believe  his  senses.  It  was 
Hilwe.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  rapturous  delight  of 
Hassan,  which  he  did  not  attempt  to  conceal.  He  for 
got  his  thirst  in  his  joy,  and  when  she  held  the  water- 
vessel  to  his  lips  he  could  not  drink. 

"  It  is  from  Malha.     It  is  sweet  and  cool,"  she  said. 

Taking  it  from  her  hands  he  carried  it  to  Chalil. 

"  Thou  hast  more  need  of  it  than  I  have,  Hassan," 
said  the  young  sheik,  refusing  it.  "  Drink,  and  may  it 
refresh  thy  soul.  And  after  thou  hast  satisfied  thy 
thirst,  I  will  drink." 

The  vessel  was  one  of  those  peculiar  porous  water- 
bottles  of  the  country,  provided  with  a  spout  more  than 
midway  up  the  side,  giving  it  some  resemblance  to  a 
teapot. 

To  Hassan's  repeated  urging  Chalil  politely  declined 
to  yield. 

"  Nay.  I  will  not  drink  till  thou  hast  drunk,"  he 
reiterated. 

Seeing  he  was  determined,  Hassan  desisted  from  his 
importunity. 

"  Since  thou  wilt  have  it  so,"  he  said. 

Throwing  back  his  head,  he  raised  the  vessel  several 
inches  above,  and  poured  the  water  in  a  stream  into  his 
open  mouth,  without  once  touching  with  his  lips  the 
spout. 

The  deftness  and  nicety  with  which  this  drinking  in 
common  is  practised  by  the  peasants  of  Palestine,  and  the 
very  idea  of  this  peculiar  utensil,  made  for  the  purpose, 
are  evidence  of  a  refinement  and  delicacy  of  sentiment 
in  such  matters  which  one  would  hardly  be  prepared  to 
find  among  this  people. 

In  fact,  it  must  be  admitted  that  races  pretending  to 
and  boasting  of  a  vastly  higher  state  of  civilisation,  as 
compared  with  these  peasants,  are  deficient,  and  come 
short  in  this  direction.  The  single  tin  cup  in  the  pail 
of  water  is  continually  used  in  common  by  mixed  gangs 
of  labourers  in  the  chief  cities  and  harvest-fields  of 
Europe  and  America,  without  a  thought,  or  a  qualm,  or 
the  least  hesitation  as  to  its  expediency. 


178  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

It  is  such  unexpected  touches  as  this,  pertaining  to 
the  simple  fellaheen  of  Palestine,  which  give  one  pause, 
and  arrest  condemnation,  at  least  so  far  as  sweeping 
accusations  regarding  their  neglect  and  uncleanliness 
are  concerned. 

Long  and  deep  Hassan  drank  of  the  refreshing  water, 
cooled  by  that  porous  earthen  bottle,  and  then  passed 
the  welcome  vessel  to  Chalil,  who  having  drunk  from  it 
in  like  manner  till  he  assuaged  his  thirst,  passed  it 
back  to  Hassan. 

It  was  new  life  to  them  —  as  well  it  might  be  —  this 
beautifully  mysterious  element,  this  gathered  dew  of 
Heaven,  full  of  light,  refreshment  and  purifying 
energy,  —  the  chosen  emblem  of  the  holy  power  confer 
ring  renewed  existence,  springing  up  to  everlasting 
vitality. 

When  the  fierce  drought  in  the  men,  which  had  so 
devoured  them,  was  appeased,  the  pangs  of  hunger  laid 
hold  of  them,  —  for  what  little  food  they  had  had  was 
but  as  a  morsel  thrown  to  a  famished  wolf. 

But  for  this  too,  Hilwe  was  prepared.  She  had  brought 
in  her  hurried  and  secret  departure  what  she  could  lay 
hands  on  in  the  shape  of  bread  and  cheese,  and  also  some 
of  the  thin  flat  cakes  made  of  the  pulp  of  the  grapes, 
pressed  and  dried  in  the  sun,  and  studded  with  nut- 
kernels  and  raisins,  and  which  will  keep  perfectly  good 
for  years. 

How  they  extolled  her  thoughtfulness  and  generosity 
as  they  partook  of  her  timely  bounty,  receiving  the  food 
from  her  hand,  as  she  waited  on  them,  and  praising 
Allah  who  had  sent  her  to  them  in  their  distress  ! 

When  they  had  eaten  and  were  filled,  they  began, 
with  Eastern  dignity,  which  despises  hurry,  to  question 
Hilwe  as  to  how  she  came,  and  how  she  managed  to 
find  them. 

"  Did  I  not  in  my  spirit  hear  thee  call  for  me,  and 
beseech  of  me  to  give  thee  to  drink  ?  "  she  asked,  turn 
ing  to  Hassan.  "  Yea,  verily.  Indeed,  I  thought  thee 
wounded,  and  perishing  for  want  of  sustenance.  Thou 
didst  draw  me  to  thee.  I  could  not  help  but  come." 

So,  in  her  simple  unaffected  words,  Hilwe  explained 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  179 

what  she  had  accepted  without  hesitation  or  a  doubt  — 
that  subtile  communion  of  kindred  souls,  which  takes  no 
count   of  distance   or   other   material  impediment,  but, 
clearing  the  grosser  elements,  immediately  and  surely 
recognises  and  penetrates  to  its  own. 

"  It  is  true,"  returned  Hassan.  "  I  knew  thou  wast 
coming.  I  heard  thee.  I  felt  thee." 

Turning  to  Chalil,  he  appealed  to  him. 

"Did  I  not  tell  thee  of  it?" 

"  It  is  even  so,"  answered  the  young  sheik. 

Poor,  love-sick  Chalil.  He  averted  his  eyes,  groaning 
inwardly,  and  fain  would  have  gone  away.  The  love- 
passages  between  Hassan  and  Hilwe  cut  him  to  the 
heart  —  tried  him  to  the  utmost  —  more  than  he  felt  he 
could  endure ;  though  he  had  supposed  he  had  schooled 
himself  to  sustain  the  pang. 

"  Were  it  any  one  but  Hassan,"  he  murmured,  "  I 
could  not  bear  it." 

No  wonder  his  heart  was  sore,  for  he  loved  Hilwe 
truly.  Nor,  from  the  first,  had  he  been  able  to  control 
the  passion  which  had  become  part  of  his  very  life, 
and  seemed  to  root  itself  more  deeply  and  inwardly, 
because  of  its  secrecy,  and  being  deprived  of  outward 
manifestation. 

"  He  is  even  as  myself,"  he  would  say,  trying  to 
restrain  himself.  "  Why  should  I  feel  so?  " 

But  in  such  a  case,  reason  and  argument  have  little 
effect.  The  fact  that  your  rival  is  your  bosom  friend,  is 
not  sufficient  to  heal  the  wound  he  has  made. 

"  A  man  cannot  command  and  master  his  feelings  as, 
with  bit  and  bridle,  whip  and  spur,  he  governs  his 
horse,"  mused  Chalil.  "  And  many  waters  cannot 
quench  love.  For  love  is  strong  as  death ;  and  jealousy 
is  cruel  as  the  grave,  as  saith  Suleyman  the  Wise,  and, 
surely  of  all  men,  he  knew  whereof  he  spake." 

But  from  aught  he  said  or  did,  none  could  know 
ChahTs  sorrow,  he  hid  it  so  effectually. 

"How  didst  thou  escape?"  inquired  Hassan  of 
Hilwe. 

"  I  even  stole  out  while  they  slept." 

"  And  how  didst  thou  know  to  come  here  ?" 


180  Hassan:  a  Feliah 

"  Kadra  told  me  she  had  seen  thee  go  in  the  direction 
of  the  Great  Rock;  and  I  felt  sure  thou  wouldst  abide 
there  overnight.  Forsooth,  I  feared  the  worst  for  thee, 
as  the  men  of  our  village  boasted  they  had  wounded 
thee  sore." 

"  But  how  couldst  thou  find  the  way  in  the  darkness?  " 

"Ere  it  was  quite  dark,  the  rock  loomed  up  like  a 
pillar  of  cloud  against  the  glow  of  the  sky.  And  when 
all  was  blackness,  and  the  rock  and  the  way  were  lost, 
and  the  eye  could  no  longer  discern  the  path,  nor  the 
feet  find  it,  but  kept  wandering  out  of  it,  the  heart  fail 
ing  for  fear,  suddenly  the  rock  flashed  out  —  a  guiding 
shaft  of  fire." 

"  It  was  even  our  kindling  of  the  brush  that  lighted  it 
up,"  said  Hassan. 

"  Yea.     It  was  well,"  interjected  Chalil. 

"  At  first  I  was  terribly  affrighted,  and  said  to  myself, 
'  It  is  the  work  of  the  jinns,  who,  with  their  bale-fires, 
would  lead  astray,  and  to  destruction,'  "  continued  Hilwe. 
"  But  soon  I  perceived  what  it  was,  and  took  courage ; 
and  so  arrived  where  I  would  be." 

"The  jackals  and  hyenas  are  abroad." 

"  Even  so.     I  heard  them." 

"  And  thou  didst  venture  all  alone  !  " 

"  Nay,  nay ;  Kadra  came  with  me.  She  even  now 
waits  for  me,  not  a  great  way  off." 

A  low  laugh,  between  a  croak  and  a  chuckle,  suc 
ceeded  the  words. 

"Kadra,"  exclaimed  both  Hassan  and  Chalil  at  once. 

"  Ay,  Kadra,"  replied  the  irrepressible  gossip  and 
scandalmonger  of  Malha,  immediately  appearing  upon 
the  scene. 

The  temptation  of  warming  herself  at  the  fire,  and 
her  curiosity  to  know  how  it  fared  with  the  young  men 
of  Bettir,  were  too  much  for  her;  and  she  had  gradually 
drawn  near,  till  at  length  she  stood  in  their  midst,  almost 
before  they  were  aware  of  her  presence. 

As  she  stooped  over  the  fire,  stretching  out  her  hands 
to  it,  to  catch  the  warmth,  her  sharp  cynical  manner 
began  to  manifest  itself. 

"  I  verily  thought  to  find  the  young  men  lying  stiff  and 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  181 

cold,  a  feast  for  the  ravens;  and  behold,  they  are 
much  alive  and  active,  and  better  off  than  many  a  dead 
king.  Our  pity  has  been  wasted  upon  them,  and  our 
compassion  poured  out  like  water  upon  the  sandy 
desert." 

"  Say  not  so,  Kadra,  say*not  so.  Thou  hast  been  to 
us  a  great  deliverance  in  our  sore  need ;  and  we  praise 
Allah  who  sent  thee  and  Hilwe  to  us.  We  were  well- 
nigh  perishing  for  thirst;  and  our  hearts  and  our  souls 
thank  thee  for  the  sweet  refreshing  thou  hast  helped  to 
bring  us." 

So  spoke  Hassan,  quick  to  mollify  the  untoward  spirit 
in  her. 

"  And  thy  companion,  the  sheik's  son,  who  lately  had 
so  many  sweet  words  to  speak  for  thee,  how  is  it  that 
he  now  is  silent,  and  that  thou  speakest  for  him?  Has 
he  been  wounded?  Is  his  strength  gone  from  him? 
Has  he  lost  his  voice?  Or  is  his  spirit  cast  down  within 
him?" 

Chalil,  thus  rallied,  smiled  a  rather  sad  pitiful  smile, 
and  roused  himself  to  reply. 

"  I  have  not  been  wounded,  O  wise  woman,  but  am 
sound  and  whole,  every  whit;  praise  be  to  Allah.  My 
friend  has  spoken  for  me,  and  thanked  thee  for  both  of 
us,"  he  said.  "Yet,  thou  speakest  truly;  it  is  not 
enough  —  no  words  could  be  enough  in  such  a  case. 
Even  if  I  could  turn  them  into  rubies  and  pearls,  it 
would  not  suffice.  But  if  thou  couldst  see  our  hearts, 
then,  indeed,  thou  wouldst  know  our  gratitude.  I  can 
say  no  more." 

The  expression  "wise  woman"  greatly  delighted 
Kadra. 

"  It  is  enough,  honourable  and  highborn  young 
man,"  she  said,  "  I  kiss  thy  hand,  my  lord."  She  suited 
the  action  to  the  word,  kissing  his  hand  twice.  "  What 
we  have  done  for  thee  is  as  nothing.  Our  hearts  gave 
it.  I  spake  but  to  try  thee.  I  longed  once  more  to  hear 
thy  pleasant  voice  and  comfortable  words ;  and  I  feared 
by  thy  silence  thou  wast  hurt  in  body  and  soul  through 
the  evil  deeds  of  my  people.  I  am  ashamed  for  them 
this  day.  Yet  it  is  not  for  such  as  I  am  —  a  poor 


1 82  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

despised  woman  —  to  revile  my  generation,  or  to  lift  up 
my  accusation  against  my  kindred." 

"  Surely  that  could  not  be  expected  of  thee,"  ac 
quiesced  Chalil. 

"  But,  woman  as  I  am,  I  could  have  hurled  over  the 
cliffs  some  of  the  cowardly  ones  who  so  ill-treated  the 
defenceless  strangers  within  our  gates." 

"Thou  hast  the  spirit  of '  a  man  in  thee!"  cried 
Hassan  flatteringly. 

"  I  doubt  if  that  were  saying  much  for  me,  to  judge  of 
some  men,"  scornfully  sneered  Kadra.  "  I  care  not  to 
be  likened  to  them  —  the  foolish  ones,  without  wisdom 
or  understanding,  but  like  unto  the  brute  beasts  that 
perish." 

Salaaming  politely  to  Chalil,  she  had  prefaced  (accord 
ing  to  custom  when  mentioning  anything  disagreeable 
or  unclean)  the  last  offensive  terms  with  the  word 
"  ajellack,"  a  courteous  qualification,  equivalent  to 
"  saving  your  reverence,"  or,  as  we  would  say  under 
like  circumstances,  "  save  in  your  presence,"  and  which 
might  be  taken  as  an  apology. 

Turning  to  Hassan,  she  repeated  the  gesture. 

"  Ah,  Hassan,"  she  then  said,  with  softened  manner, 
"  by  coming  up  this  day  thou  hast  blotted  out  all  that  I 
have  done  for  thee,  and  made  it  as  though  it  were  not." 

"  Nay ;  prophesy  not  evil  for  me,  Kadra.  Who  knows 
but  it  may  be  for  the  best." 

"  For  the  best !     How  can  that  be  ?  " 

"  Do  we  not  often  see  that  the  time  of  trouble  is  a 
turning-point?  and  have  we  not  a  proverb  which  says 
'  It  is  darkest  before  the  dawning  of  the  day  '?  " 

"  Verily  thou  speakest  as  a  man  of  faith.  Great  must 
be  thy  faith." 

"  Wouldst  thou  have  me  utterly  cast  down?  " 

"Thou  knowest  I  would  not;  and  that  I  have  thy 
welfare  at  heart.  Yet,  at  the  risk  of  offending  thee,  can 
I  not  withhold  my  opinion.  It  would  have  been  better 
for  thee  to  have  restrained  for  a  time  thy  desire  toward 
the  damsel,  that  afterward  thou  mightest  have  obtained 
the  fullest  recompense.  Meanwhile  I  should  have 
watched  the  opportunity  to  advance  thy  cause.  He  who 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  183 

would  steal  a  minaret  first  digs  a  well  to  hide  it  in.  But 
thou  hast  wantonly  exposed  thyself.  Thou  hast  taken 
the  bit  between  thy  teeth,  and  gone  headlong." 

A  smile  of  superb  complacency  parted  for  a  moment 
the  rich  scarlet  of  Hassan's  lips,  showing  that  proud 
gleam  of  milk-white  ivory  within.  Beginning  in  a  smile, 
it  ended  in  something  closely  resembling  the  defiant 
expression  of  the  wild  animal  when  it  shows  its  fangs. 

"  Thou  little  knowest  me  if  thou  thinkest  I  am  in  the 
slightest  swerved  from  my  purpose  by  aught  that  has 
happened.  I  am  more  determined  than  ever  to  thwart 
Abd-el-nour." 

He  drew  himself  up  to  his  full  height,  and  his  whole 
manner  changed  to  one  of  extreme  solemnity. 

"  I  swear  in  the  name  of  our  prophet,  even  Moham 
med,"  he  continued,  "  not  to  yield  in  this  thing  while 
there  is  life  left  in  me,  but  to  resist,  even  to  the  death." 

He  lifted  his  hand  on  high  as  he  spoke,  and  placed  it 
reverently  on  his  head. 

It  may  be  said  that  swearing  by  Mohammed  is,  to  the 
Moslem  peasant,  the  most  impressive  and  binding  of 
oaths.  Indeed,  in  general,  the  fellaheen  hold  it  to  be 
more  sacred  than  swearing  by  Allah.  It  combines,  too, 
an  older  form  of  adjuration  —  the  swearing  by  the  head, 
condemned,  along  with  other  swearing,  by  Christ,  who 
recommended  instead  the  simple  reiteration  —  the  "  Yea, 
yea,"  and  the  "  Nay,  nay,"  so  commonly  practised 
to  this  moment  in  Palestine. 

All  present  were  greatly  moved  by  Hassan's  manner 
and  the  awfulness  of  the  oath.  His  calm  determination 
had  the  effect  of  temporarily  silencing  Kadra. 

But  Kadra's  silence,  from  the  nature  of  the  case,  could 
seldom  be  of  long  continuance. 

"  Allah  grant  thou  mayest  have  thy  will,"  she  said 
presently.  "  Mayest  thou  have  the  maiden  of  thy  choice, 
even  Hilwe,  to  wife.  And  may  thy  children  and  thy 
children's  children  rise  up  and  bless  thee." 

Now,  as  a  good  wish  in  the  East  requires,  as  expressly 
commanded  in  the  Koran,  that  it  be  responded  to  by  a 
better  wish,  or,  in  other  words,  be  returned  with  interest, 
Hassan  could  do  no  other  than  rise  to  the  occasion. 


184  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

"  Allah  bless  and  keep  thee,"  he  said,  "  and  give  thee 
a  man  right  proper  and  comely,  and  of  thine  own  people, 
to  protect  and  cherish  thee,  and  to  stand  between  thee 
and  trouble ;  and  mayest  thou  prosper  and  see  thy  pos 
terity  prosper  to  the  third  generation." 

Such  a  beatific  smile  illumined  Kadra's  face  that  her 
gaunt  and  withered  features,  in  all  their  tattooed  ugliness, 
for  the  moment  became  almost  agreeable. 

"Thou  hast  wished  me  a  good  and  noble  wish,"  she 
said.  "  Allah  grant  it  may  come  true." 

Her  coronet  of  bishliks  trembled  and  tinkled  with  her 
eagerness  and  delight. 

"  So  be  it,"  simultaneously  responded  Chalil,  Hassan 
and  Hilwe,  as  if  it  were  an  antiphonal  chorus. 

"  Yea,  so  may  it  be,"  reiterated  Hassan. 

He  pushed  his  tarboosh  carelessly  backward,  while  a 
merry  thought  showed  itself  in  the  twinkle  of  his  eye. 

"  But,  Kadra,  how  comes  it  to  pass  that  thou  hast  not 
already  found  a  man  to  honour  thee?  Verily  I  thought 
thy  widowhood  should,  long  ere  this,  have  been  turned 
into  joy,  and  that  thou  shouldst  have  been  given  a 
consolator — a  spouse  after  thine  own  heart,  and  better 
to  thee  than  those  who  have  gone  before." 

She  moved  her  head  in  a  sagacious  manner,  implying 
much,  but  said  nothing. 

Seeing  she  spoke  not,  Hassan  continued : 

"  I  should  think  the  men  of  Malha  were  deficient  in 
their  duty,  did  I  not  suspect  that  thou  thyself  art  the 
real  cause,  and  that  thou  art  hard  to  please." 

"  Thou  sayest,"  she  at  once  replied,  catching  the 
suggestion.  "  It  is  not  every  man  would  please  me. 
Besides,  to  me  it  is  an  old  story,  and  as  a  tale  which 
twice  hath  been  told." 

In  this  she  alluded  with  light  touch  to  her  two  former 
matrimonial  episodes. 

"  But,  Hassan,"  she  continued,  "  I  can  wait.  Think 
not  I  am  in  so  desperate  a  case,  or  such  ardent  haste  as 
thine." 

This  sally  was  far  from  displeasing  the  young  man  to 
whom  it  was  addressed.  Few  men  would  feel  aggrieved 
at  having  such  an  insinuation  brought  against  them. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  185 

Again  the  rich  scarlet  line  of  Hassan's  lips  parted  be 
neath  the  dark  upward-curving  mustache. 

"  Hear  what  she  says,  Chalil,"  he  cried,  turning  to  his 
friend,  in  the  proud  gladness  of  his  heart. 

Chalil  made  an  effort  to  respond,  rather  a  sickly  smile 
flickering  about  his  mouth. 

"  She  speaks  words  of  understanding,"  he  said. 
"  Happy  shall  be  the  man  who  calls  her  wife." 

Kadra's  cup  was  full.  The  fine  compliment  from 
Chalil  set  it  overflowing.  She  advanced  towards  him, 
holding  herself  uncommonly  erect,  and  with  a  stately 
air,  which  was  greatly  aided  by  her  flowing  white  head 
dress,  and  her  other  loose-floating  drapery,  swayed 
gracefully  by  her  movements.  She  bowed  herself  as 
she  came  opposite  to  him  and,  raising  his  hand  to  her 
lips,  kissed  it  twice. 

"  Again  I  kiss  thy  hand,  my  lord.  Blessed  be  thou, 
and  thy  father,  and  thy  father's  father.  Allah  give  thee 
length  of  days,  and  to  see  thy  children's  children.  Thy 
words  are  sweeter  to  me  than  the  honey  fresh  from  the 
honeycomb.  Not  because  thou  didst  commend  thy 
handmaid,  but  because  wisdom  and  knowledge  pertain 
to  thee,  and  thou  speakest  the  words  of  verity  and 
goodwill  with  golden  lips  from  a  guileless  heart" 

The  several  rows  of  convex  bishliks  strung  across  her 
tan-coloured  brow  glowed  red  and  pale,  lustrous  and  dull, 
by  turns,  in  the  firelight,  and  gave  an  impressive  sibyl- 
like  character  to  her  tall  spare  figure. 

Those  silver  Turkish  coins  represented  her  two  dow 
ries.  It  is  only  the  direst  distress  or  some  fearful  crisis 
that  will  compel  even  the  poorest  peasant  woman  of 
Palestine  to  part  with  them. 

The  transient  traveller,  as  he  holds  one  of  those  pieces 
in  his  hand,  wondering  at  the  peculiar  saucer-like  shape 
into  which  it  was  wrought  when  appropriated  for  a 
bridal  tiara,  and  puzzled  by  the  flowery  agglomeration 
of  ornamental  Turkish  text  which  adorns  one  side  of  it, 
being  the  name  of  the  Sultan  who  reigned  when  it  was 
struck  —  little  does  the  wayworn  traveller,  the  passing 
stranger  from  a  far-off  country,  imagine  the  struggle 
and  the  tragic  life-history  which,  again  driving  it  into 


1 86  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

circulation,  hides  beneath  that  bevelled  punctured  coin, 
held  by  him  so  carelessly.  So  it  is  that  life  is  jostled 
and  hustled,  driven  and  trampled ;  and  one  man  knows 
not  of  the  pangs  which  rend  another  man's  heart  —  yea, 
though  he  be  his  neighbour. 

Chalil  bore  the  adulatory  attention  of  Kadra,  which 
could  hardly  have  been  agreeable  to  him,  with  the 
patient  grace  which  is  seldom  wanting  in  the  Oriental. 
Some  simple  words  of  thanks  from  him,  accompanied 
by  elaborate  gesticulations,  were  sufficient.  It  is  not 
expected,  nor  would  it  be  seemly  nor  well,  to  bring  the 
woman  into  too  great  prominence.  There  is  no  neces 
sity  of  special  thought  in  this,  nor  suspicion  of  wrong. 
It  is  merely  inexorable  habit. 

Meanwhile  Hassan  had  taken  the  opportunity  to  pour 
into  Hilwe's  ear  some  secret  communication,  with  the 
soft  dalliance  that  lovers  feed  on,  and  that  man  and 
woman,  all  over  the  globe,  spite  of  custom  and  decree, 
and  heaven  and  earth,  or  Sheol  itself,  will  indulge  in, 
though  their  very  lives  the  next  moment  be  the  penalty 
of  the  infringement  of  the  offended  dignity  and  majesty 
of  social  law  or  stilted  etiquette. 

Here  behold  the  fine  balance,  the  nice  discrimina 
tion,  of  human  nature.  On  such  delicate  distinctions 
and  adjustments,  with  such  hair-trigger  appliances  we 
live  and  move  and  have  our  being. 

But  Hassan's  opportunity  was  of  short  duration.  As 
Kadra  left  the  young  sheik,  and  returned  to  her  former 
place  at  the  fire,  her  sharp  eyes  fell  on  the  lovers, 
and  she  at  once  perceived  the  situation. 

Remembering  her  duty  and  responsibility,  and  only 
too  well  pleased  to  exhibit  her  brief  authority,  she  faced 
them  with  a  certain  asperity  and  dictatorial  manner 
peculiar  to  the  Orientals,  and  prized  by  them  above 
measure  when  the  occasion  is  afforded  to  use  it. 

"  Hilwe,"  she  exclaimed,  "  what  art  thou  thinking  of, 
at  this  time  of  night?  We  should  be  half-way  back  ere 
this.  Arise,  let  us  be  going." 

"I  am  even  waiting  on  thy  word,"  answered  Hilwe, 
gathering  her  garments  about  her  and  preparing  to 
leave. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  187 

"  Be  not  in  haste.  Stay  yet  awhile,"  murmured  Has 
san,  proudly  standing  beside  her. 

"Nay,  that  cannot  be,"  said  Kadra.  "We  have  re 
mained  too  long  already." 

"  It  would  not  be  well,  Hassan,"  softly  acceded  Hilwe. 
"  I  shall  leave  the  vessel  of  water  with  thee.  Thou  canst 
hide  it  in  the  hollow  of  the  rock,  where  we  can  find  it 
on  the  morrow." 

"Then,  at  least,  I  shall  accompany  thee  back  —  see 
thee  safely  home." 

"  There  is  no  need  of  so  doing,"  interrupted  Kadra. 

"  The  jackals  and  hyenas  are  about,"  suggested 
Hassan. 

"  Thinkest  thou  that  I  fear  them?  "  she  said.  "  Nay, 
rather  they  fear  me." 

When  Hassan  would  have  further  expostulated,  she 
would  hear  no  more. 

"  Shouldst  thou  be  seen  with  us,  our  lives  would  not 
be  worth  a  potsherd,"  she  said.  "  Besides,"  she  added, 
"  thou  art  weary  with  what  thou  hast  endured  this  day, 
and  needest  rest" 

So  the  women  departed. 

Yet  as  Hilwe  slowly  followed  Kadra,  Hassan  could 
not  refrain,  but  overtook  the  damsel,  his  soul  yearning 
for  her. 

"  Hilwe,"  he  said,  "  thou  hast  twice  this  day  brought 
comfort  and  refreshment  to  me.  Allah  bless  and  pro 
tect  thee.  Think  not  that  I  have  lost  courage  because 
of  this  that  has  happened.  Trust  me,  I  shall  yet  deliver 
thee  from  thy  troubles." 

He  watched  her  till  the  darkness  hid  her  from  him ; 
then  came  to  Chalil  to  be  consoled. 

The  young  men,  overcome  with  fatigue,  were  but  too 
glad  to  seek  the  couch  they  had  prepared  in  the  rock, 
and,  at  Chain's  suggestion  that  sleep  was  the  best  com 
forter,  at  once  turned  in.  Nor  did  they  wake  till  dawn 
of  day. 

Then  instantly  they  were  astir,  and  soon  upon  their 
way. 

When  they  reached  the  little  pool  beyond  the  sheep- 
fold,  under  the  cliff,  they  stopped  and  bathed,  washing 


1 88  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

from  their  bodies  all  removable  traces  of  their  conflict 
at  Malha;  and  especially  did  Hassan  cleanse  him  of 
his  blood-stains.  In  dressing  his  wounds,  Chalil  was  as 
kind  and  helpful  as  before. 

"  Verily."  he  said,  "  blood  is  not  washed  out  with 
blood,  but  with  water." 

As  they  passed  the  place  of  Hassan's  encounter  with 
the  leopard,  they  were  attracted  by  a  peculiar  whirring 
sound.  It  was  like  the  singing  of  the  air  when  beaten 
by  wings. 

Hassan  had  drawn  the  dead  body  aside,  and  thrown 
it  into  a  hollow,  down  the  lower  cliff.  The  sound  came 
from  this  spot.  Two  hideous-looking  vultures,  those 
most  ghastly  of  scavengers,  disturbed  at  their  work  of 
gorging  themselves  on  the  carrion,  had  spread  their 
pinions  with  the  slow  lazy  motion  characteristic  of  the 
unclean  tribe,  and  had  sullenly  risen,  hovering  overhead 
with  that  indifferent  indolent  mien  which  cloaks  their 
rapacity.  A  third  foul  creature,  with  talons  fixed  in  the 
carcass,  and  flapping  his  wings,  still  remained,  as  if  un 
determined  whether  he  would  desist  from  his  detestable 
task  or  not,  his  naked  red  head  and  neck  glistening  in 
the  sun,  and  with  that  horrible  snake-like  crook  which  is 
so  significant,  accompanied  by  the  malicious  gleam  of 
his  eye. 

Surely  the  eater  was  being  eaten  !  The  carnivora  of 
the  air  were  devouring  the  destroyer  of  the  flocks  and 
herds  —  the  ravager  of  the  land. 

A  great  crow  or  raven  croaked  from  an  adjacent  rock, 
its  black  plumage  giving  off  bluish  reflections;  and, 
high  in  the  heavens,  two  gray  eagles  were  passing  and 
repassing,  as  if  watching  their  opportunity  to  descend. 
Further  off,  so  distant  they  looked  like  dark  specks 
above  the  pink  and  drab  of  the  horizon  line,  several 
other  eagles  were  approaching. 

Of  a  sooth,  "wheresoever  the  carcass  is,  there  will 
the  eagles  be  gathered  together." 

"  A  sorry  end  for  the  proud  beast,"  remarked  Has 
san,  somewhat  regretfully. 

"  Yea ;  but  consider  how  he  would  have  ended  thee 
and  our  sheep,"  returned  Chalil. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  189 

Early  morning  found  the  young  men  in  Bettir,  where 
the  leopard-skin  was  a  wonderful  sight,  and  a  great 
attraction  to  the  villagers.  Hassan  was  the  hero  of 
the  hour;  and  the  people,  crowding  around  him,  were 
never  tired  of  hearing  him  tell  the  story  of  his  fight 
with  the  wild  beast,  in  which  he  was  the  glorious 
victor. 

But  both  Hassan  and  Chalil  were  careful  to  suppress 
reference  to  their  unfortunate  adventure  at  Malha,  and 
the  repulse  and  shameful  treatment  they  had  received 
there.  And  when,  afterwards,  the  affair  became  known, 
they  greatly  modified  and  smoothed  over  the  worst  fea 
tures  of  it. 

"  Let  us  not  add  fuel  to  the  flame,"  they  said.  "  The 
hate  is  bad  enough  already." 


CHAPTER  XVII 

IDST  thou  see  the  blooms  Amne  found  yester- 
day?"  asked  Fatima  of  Hilwe. 

"  I  have  seen  them.     She  showed  them  to  me." 

Hilwe  answered  in  a  subdued,  almost  depressed  tone, 
as  if  anticipatory  of  something  disagreeable,  and  that 
the  question  of  her  aunt  and  foster-mother  was  but  the 
prelude  to  personal  reflections  far  from  flattering,  and 
the  opposite  of  complimentary. 

"  She  has  gathered  the  firstlings  of  the  season.  She 
has  had  the  advantage  of  thee.  Hadst  thou  been  as 
active  as  thou  mightest  have  been,  thou  wouldst  have 
got  them." 

"  She  knows  a  place  where  the  white  blooms  come 
early  every  year;  and  she  keeps  it  secret." 

"And  why  dost  thou  not  find  out  for  thyself  such  a 
place?  Many  a  metalik  or  piastre  thou  mightest  bring 
in  —  and  we  want  it  badly  enough,  Allah  knows  — if 
thou  wouldst  only  watch  thy  opportunities.  When  I  was 
thine  age,  there  was  n't  a  damsel  of  the  neighbourhood 
could  excel  me  in  anything.  For  that  matter,  why  not 


190  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

spy  upon  her,  and  learn  her  secret  haunt,  and  get  the 
better  of  her?  " 

"  I  should  not  like  to  do  that,"  replied  Hilvve. 

"Why  so?" 

"  It  would  seem  like  robbing  her." 

"  What  foolishness  !  The  place  is  as  much  thine  as 
hers.  It  is  open  to  the  sky,  and  to  the  winds  and  the 
dew.  The  bees  and  the  birds  come  and  go  there ;  and 
so  mayest  thou.  Any  man,  woman  or  child  may  enter 
and  take  of  the  blossoms.  What  could  she  say  didst 
thou  go  there  to-day  and  gather  them  in?  How  could 
she  help  herself?  " 

"  I  do  not  know.     But  it  would  break  her  heart." 

Fatima  laughed  loud,  and  long,  and  scornfully. 

"No  doubt  it  would  vex  her,  and  make  her  angry. 
It  well  might.  She  makes  a  goodly  sum  out  of  those 
flowers.  Knowest  thou  not  that  this  is  the  flower  the 
Nazarenes  call  the  Rose  of  Sharon,  and  to  which  they 
say  their  prophet  Issa  ben  Maryam  —  Jesus,  son  of 
Mary  —  whom  they  make  a  god  of,  and  worship, 
likened  himself.  Therefore  they  prize  it  exceedingly, 
and  place  it  on  his  shrine  in  the  Holy  City.  Amne 
will  make  well  by  those  early  blossoms.  The  Greek, 
the  Armenian  and  the  Latin  monks  will  pay  her  a 
high  price  for  them,  and  backsheesh  too.  And  thou 
couldst  do  no  better  than  to  get  a  bountiful  store  of 
them,  and  take  them  into  the  market  in  Jerusalem, 
where  thou  canst  easily  dispose  of  them  to  the  Naza 
renes.  Also,  as  well,  to  the  True  Believers.  For  they 
too  love  the  sweet  odour  of  the  flower,  and  say  it 
smells  like  their  mothers.  They  will  reward  thee 
handsomely." 

"  I  hearken  unto  thy  voice.     But  —  " 

"  What  wouldst  thou  say?     Speak  !  " 

"  I  cannot  bear  to  vex  Amne." 

"If  thou  hast  any  scruples  as  to  Amne's  place,  canst 
thou  not  seek  and  find  one  like  unto  it?  The  entire 
hillside  to  choose  from  is  before  thee.  There  is  no 
need  to  quarrel  about  it.  And  what  is  to  prevent  thee 
going  this  very  day  —  now?  " 

It  was  not  always  that  Fatima's  words  were  as  pleas- 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  191 

ant  in  Hilvve's  ears  as  on  this  occasion.  But  there  was 
an  especial  reason  for  the  damsel's  gladness.  It  would 
give  her  the  opportunity  to  meet  Hassan. 

"  I  shall  do  as  thou  hast  said,"  she  replied.  "  Thy 
words  are  even  a  command  to  me." 

A  strange  light  burned  in  her  eyes. 

"  Ay,  go,"  urged  Fatima. 

"  I  11  go  this  moment." 

Quickly  Hilwe  got  ready,  and  went  upon  her  way. 
She  lost  not  an  instant.  It  was  as  if  she  feared  some 
thing  might  occur  to  detain  her. 

Soon,  and  as  if  with  winged  feet,  she  had  reached  the 
appointed  place  of  meeting  (where  more  than  once 
they  had  met),  and  had  told  Hassan  of  Amne's  dis 
covery  of  the  narcissus  flowers  —  the  white  blooms,  as 
she  called  them,  the  first  of  the  season,  and  repeated 
Fatima's  desire  that  she  should  procure  them. 

"  I  can  take  thee  to  a  place  where  they  abound,"  he 
replied. 

"Thou  canst?     Oh  do !  "  she  exclaimed,  delightedly. 

"  They  come  there  the  earliest  and  the  finest.  There 
must  be  many  there  now.  I  know  the  place  well.  We 
can  take  the  sheep  with  us,  for  there  is  good  pasturage 
near  by ;  and  they  can  feed  in  safety,  while  I  help  thee 
to  gather  the  blooms." 

The  way  did  not  seem  long  to  them,  nor  tedious, 
though  the  sheep  were  not  over  quick  in  their  move 
ments.  There  was  always  so  much  pleasure^  such  en- 
rapt  silent  joy  in  being  in  each  other's  company,  the 
time  fled  only  too  rapidly  for  the  lovers. 

"  T  is  but  a  little  way,"  Hassan,  wily  through  his 
love,  had  said  to  encourage  her.  "A  few  minutes  will 
take  us  there." 

It  was  one  of  Nature's  gardens,  —  one  of  those  inter 
ludes  of  loveliness,  not  uncommon  in  Palestine,  a  shel 
tered  hollow  in  the  hills,  hiding  itself  between  the 
outcroppings  of  the  massive  gray  rocks,  which  are  the 
bulwarks  of  the  land,  and  are  seen  almost  everywhere 
in  the  "  hill  country."  Yet  was  it  lifted  up  to  heaven, 
with  somewhat  of  the  aspect  of  an  outstretched  hand 
offering  its  beautiful  gifts. 


192  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

She  saw  the  secluded  spot  for  the  first  time.  Her 
face  was  illuminated  with  the  reflected  glow.  As  they 
stood  together  on  the  verge  before  entering,  they  turned 
to  one  another  and  smiled,  without  speaking. 

There  was  a  purity,  a  sanctity,  about  the  place  that 
was  entrancing.     It  looked   as  if  desecrating  foot  had  j 
never  profaned   it.     Multitudes    of  the   narcissus  were  I 
seen  in  groups  scattered  throughout,  their  silvery-white 
blossoms  gently  swaying  or  softly  rising  and  falling  on 
the  palpitating  air,  as  though  they  were  living  creatures 
enjoying  themselves,  or  the   immaculate  wings  of  the 
angelic  host  spreading  for  flight. 

"  I  see  them  !  I  see  them !  "  Hilwe  exclaimed  as  her 
eye  caught  the  sight. 

A  few  scarlet  anemones  sent  up  their  half-expanded 
buds,  at} ant-couriers  of  the  great  flaming  host  which 
presently  should  inundate  the  land  —  a  victorious  grand 
army  with  their  glorious  banners ;  and  the  crocus,  both 
purple  and  white,  sprinkled  the  grass  everywhere. 

Hilwe  drew  nearer  to  Hassan  —  she  knew  not  why. 

"  Is  it  not  like  the  garden  of  God?  "  he  said. 

"  Yea;   it  is  even  Paradise." 

"  It  is  Paradise  for  me  where  thou  art." 

"  Ah,  Hassan  !  " 

"  Ah,  Hilwe,  my  beloved  !  " 

They  entered,  hand  in  hand,  an  expression  almost  of 
awe  in  the  girl's  face. 

He  saw  it,  and  interpreted  it  his  own  way. 

"  There  is  no  one  to  see  us  here,"  he  said,  reassuringly. 
"It  is  out  of  the   common  path,    and    people    do    not' 
often  pass  by;   also  the  rocks  conceal  it." 

"It  is  a  holy  place,"  she  murmured  with  breathless; 
pathos. 

As  she  stood  among  the  narcissus  blooms,  they 
appeared  like  silvery  stars  or  flocks  of  angels  floating 
around  her,  as  if  they  belonged  to  the  heaven  rather 
than  to  the  earth.  The  tall  slim  asphodels,  already; 
sending  up  their  purplish  flower-buds  from  their  sheath- 
like  leaves,  reached  higher  than  her  waist.  They 
touched  her  brown  hands  as  if  in  salutation.  They 
were  akin  to  her. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  193 

She  stooped  and  kissed  them. 

"  They  salaam  to  thee !  Thou  thyself  art  one  of 
them !  "  he  passionately  declared.  "  Thou  art  even 
fair  and  pure  as  a  flower !  " 

She  again  stooped  and  kissed  the  asphodel  to  hide 
her  blushes.  As  she  pressed  her  warm  lips  to  the 
closed  corolla,  suddenly  the  curved  petals  expanded, 
opening  with  a  gentle  shock. 

It  was  such  an  incident  as  appeals  peculiarly  to  an 
Oriental. 

Hassan  laughed  —  a  low,  soft,  sympathetic  sound,  full 

of  suggestiveness,  coming  from  far  down  in  his  throat 

and  chest.     She  felt  as  well  as  heard  the  mellow  sound 

—  the  man  within  him.     It  thrilled  her  more  than  words 

would  have  done. 

"  Thou  hast  awakened  the  flower,"  he  said,  "  that  is 
how  thou  hast  dealt  with  me.  Thou  hast  awakened  me 
also,  and  broken  the  sleep  of  my  heart.  I  never  loved 
thee  as  I  do  now." 

She  smiled  but  said  nothing.  It  was  as  though  she 
was  far,  far  away,  and  as  if  she  understood  him  not. 

Men  are  so  bold,  they  have  the  courage  of  their  feel 
ings —  they  break  loose  in  their  utterance.  It  is  their 
nature. 

But  after  a  short  interval  she  turned  to  him  with 
parted  lips,  as  though  she  had  been  pondering  what  he 
had  said. 

"  Nay,  rather  is  it  not  thou  who  hast  so  dealt  with 
me?  "  she  innocently  asked. 

"Is  it  so?  Sayest  thou  so?  It  is  well.  Thou  art 
right,  my  beloved."  Then,  growing  warmer,  "  Fear  not 
to  tell  me,  I  love  thee  better  than  my  own  soul.  Thou 
art  my  flower  of  flowers,  whom  no  man's  hand  but  mine 
shall  pluck.  Thy  name  is  Hilwe  —  sweet,  sweet !  and 
thou  art  sweet !  " 

It  would  be  impossible  to  overestimate  the  influence 
of  such  a  man  as  Hassan  over  Hilwe.  Uniting  as  he 
did  the  nature,  the  warmth  and  passion  of  the  Palestine 
peasant,  with  many  of  the  thoughts,  words,  and  ways  of 
the  more  civilised  man  of  the  world  —  the  European, 
teaching  him  more  thoughtful,  respectful,  and  tender 

13 


194  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

relations  and  dealings  with  woman,  he  surely  was  pos 
sessed  of  a  power  that  for  her  was  well-nigh  irresistible. 
•Besides,  he  had  the  further  —  the  more  evident  potency : 
in  any  land,  he  would  have  been  considered  a  finely- 
made  and  uncommonly  handsome  and  lovable  man. 
And,  say  what  we  will,  is  there  any  single  thing,  even 
in  the  most  refined  society,  which  appeals  to  human 
nature  as  does  physical  beauty,  especially  when  warmed 
by  the  love  element?  The  loftiest  intellects  have  been 
led  captive  by  it;  the  strongest  minds,  the  most  reli 
gious  and  holiest,  as  well  as  the  wisest,  have  become 
subject  to  it.  However  humiliating  it  may  be,  it  would 
be  useless  to  attempt  to  deny  this.  The  facts  are  too 
abundant,  the  proofs  too  conclusive. 

It  had  come  to  pass  that  the  moments  spent  with 
Hassan  in  those  secret  interviews  on  the  Judaean  hills, 
had  grown  to  be  not  only  the  happiest  and  the  chief 
part  of  Hilwe's  life,  but  her  very  life  itself. 

When  gathering  the  brush  and  sticks  for  fuel  —  that 
constant  need  in  the  household  for  the  all-devouring 
oven  and  the  hearth  —  she  managed  to  be  with  him  for 
longer  intervals  than  heretofore ;  and  he,  in  order  to 
make  up  for  the  loss  of  her  time  spent  with  him,  would 
aid  her  at  her  task  so  that  her  shortcomings  would  not 
be  noticed. 

When  caught  in  some  sudden  change  of  weather,  such 
as  a  cold  wind  or  a  shower  of  rain,  he  would  shelter  her 
under  his  abai,  artlessly  saying  the  garment  was  large 
enough  for  two.  They  were  as  simple  as  children  in 
their  enjoyments ;  and,  though  eager,  warm,  and  impul 
sive  in  their  feelings,  through  their  naturalness  they 
were  innocent  of  evil. 

And  now  Hilwe  wandered  to  and  fro  among  the  wil 
derness  of  flowers,  lost  in  an  ecstasy  of  delight;  often 
lying  down  beside  them  to  kiss  them  and  inhale  their 
perfume  breath ;  but,  so  far,  not  plucking  one  of  them. 
She  felt  it  would  be  a  species  of  desecration  to  mar  in 
the  slightest  degree  the  place  so  consecrated  and  set 
apart  of  the  heavenly  powers. 

Hassan,  seeing  her  peculiar  feeling,  humoured  her  in 
it,  knowing  that  presently  she  would  overcome  it.  He 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  195 

drew  her  aside  to  a  rocky  ledge  where,  in  the  moisture 
dripping  from  the  overhanging  cliff,  a  luxuriant  bank  of 
moss  flourished.  Here  in  the  congenial  shade,  bedded 
in  the  thick  cushion  of  sphagnous  luxury,  grew  a  num 
ber  of  plants  which  found  in  the  conditions  a  grateful 
habitat.  Among  them  was  the  grape  hyacinth,  with  its 
tapering  clusters  of  blossom,  finely  graduated  from  the 
deepest  indigo  to  the  richest  aquamarine,  tipped  with 
vivid  powdery  azure  and  a  hint  of  cerulean  blue.  Also 
there  were  many  scillas,  spires  of  creamy  whiteness, 
hair-striped  with  purple  so  dark  it  might  be  mistaken 
for  black.  The  crevices  and  crannies  of  the  cliff  were 
crowded  with  cyclamens,  whose  flowers,  resembling  the 
headdress  of  some  South-sea  Island  chief,  were  scarcely 
more  beautiful  than  the  mottled,  deep-green  leaves 
backed  with  crimson.  Yet  how  exquisitely  fair  were 
the  flowers,  pure  white  or  pale  rose  stained  and  blotched 
in  the  mouth  with  the  richest  carmine  magenta !  Like  a 
purplish  fringe,  trailed  from  the  rock  and  swung  loosely 
on  the  air,  the  defiant  bugloss ;  and  from  the  topmost 
height,  a  flowering  almond  reached  down  its  slender 
boughs  loaded  with  wreaths  of  the  tenderest  pink.  On 
the  ground  were  numerous  patches  of  the  little  blue- 
gray  iris,  and  the  sparkling  closely-matted  silverweed, 
with  a  species  of  golden  gorse,  whose  foliage  gave  out 
a  musky  fragrance,  while  the  aromatic  wild  thyme 
formed  an  outlying  phalanx  of  sweetness  and  excellence. 

Most  of  those  plants  are  flowers  cultivated  and  prized 
in  the  gardens  of  other  countries.  The  very  multitude 
of  them  was  a  glorious  sight  —  they  silently  sending  up 
their  incense  to  heaven  as  an  oblation,  a  sweet-smell 
ing  offering.  It  was  a  passional  of  Nature  —  a  grand 
rhapsody  of  colour,  and  light,  and  perfume,  and  exqui 
site  form.  What  thought,  beyond  man's  conception, 
was  in  a  single  flower !  Each  was  a  thought  of  God. 

No  wonder  Hilwe,  recognising  something  of  this, 
could  not  bear  to  mutilate  it  —  to  mar  the  sacred  beauty 
of  this  mountain  sanctuary. 

Hassan,  with  the  utilitarian  instincts  of  a  man,  at  last 
reminded  Hilwe  of  her  errand,  and  that  they  had  as 
yet  gathered  none  of  the  white  blooms  —  the  narcissus. 


196  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

"  Let  us,"  he  suggested,  "  pluck  only  those  which 
are  full-blown,  leaving  the  rest  for  other  days ;  and  so 
we  can  continue  to  come  while  the  season  lasts." 

He  was  not  altogether  unselfish  in  thus  quietly  plan 
ning  for  the  future.  But  who  could  blame  him? 

His  idea  he  forthwith  proceeded  to  carry  into  exe 
cution,  in  which  he  was  soon  joined  by  Hilwe,  whose 
arms  were  presently  loaded  with  a  great  sheaf  of  the 
narcissus. 

"  Thou  wilt  surprise  Fatima,"  he  said.  "  Thou  hast 
a  goodly  harvest  of  them,  and  wilt  get  a  high  price  for 
them  in  Jerusalem.  Not  that  I  care  to  have  thee  visit 
the  city.  It  is  full  of  temptation  and  evil  for  such  as 
thou  art  —  unacquainted  with  the  world." 

He  thereupon  launched  out  into  warnings  as  to  the 
wickedness  of  the  place,  and  gave  her  many  directions 
for  her  conduct  while  visiting  it. 

They  carried  the  flowers  they  had  culled  to  a  remote 
corner  of  the  hollow,  where  quantities  of  the  narcissus 
still  remained,  untouched ;  and  here,  in  the  midst  of  the 
white  starry  blooms,  they  sat  themselves  down,  and 
commenced  making  the  sheaf  of  blossoms  into  nose 
gays. 

Presently,  in  abandonment  of  his  feelings,  he  threw 
himself  upon  the  ground,  in  a  reclining  attitude  at  her 
feet,  looking  up  into  her  face. 

Oh,  the  pure  joy  of  him !  It  was  the  gladness  that 
the  man  has  when  he  comes  close  to  Nature,  and  feels 
his  heart  beat  against  her  heart. 

Hassan  handed  the  flowers  to  Hilwe  as  she  required, 
and  she  rapidly  arranged  them  into  small  bunches  or 
bouquets,  neatly  fastening  each  with  one  or  more  of 
the  long  strap-like  leaves  of  the  plant  itself. 

It  was  delicious  occupation.  But  it  could  not  last 
forever.  And  always  the  happiest  moments  are  the 
shortest. 

At  length  the  task  was  done  —  their  work  finished. 
The  last  bouquet  was  arranged  and  tied  into  shape,  and 
added  to  the  redolent  pile  which  had  grown  up  under 
Hilwe's  hands  —  a  mound  of  silver  and  gold  of  Nature's 
coinage. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  197 

The  sun  had  begun  to  get  low  in  the  heavens.  The 
wind  had  changed,  and  sharp  little  eddying  gusts  occa 
sionally  made  themselves  felt  over  the  hillside,  though 
not  heavy  enough  to  bend  the  anemones  —  the  children 
of  the  wind. 

Hilwe  gave  a  slight  sympathetic  shiver,  which  Hassan 
at  once  noticed. 

"Art  thou  cold?"  he  asked.  "That  little  breeze 
felt  as  if  it  came  all  the  way  from  snow-crowned  Mount 
Hermon,  and  got  tired  on  the  journey,  stopping  here. 
Or,  mayhap,  it  has  kissed  the  icy  peaks  of  the  more 
northerly  Lebanon.  Who  knows  ?  " 

He  spread  open  his  abai,  according  to  his  wont. 

"  Here  is  thy  shelter,  my  beloved.  Here  is  thy 
refuge  and  thy  rest." 

His  face  shone  with  a  beauty  —  an  attractive  power 
beyond  any  she  heretofore  had  seen  in  it. 

"What  happiness,"  she  thought,  "to  be  loved  by 
such  a  man.  Well  may  I  be  proud  of  him.  Well  may 
I  love  and  worship  him.  There  is  none  like  him." 

She  spoke  not  the  words,  but  they  were  written  in 
her  face.  He  saw  it.  He  felt  it. 

She  moved  nearer  to  him.  At  the  same  moment  he 
drew  closer  to  her,  and  enveloped  them  both  in  the 
tolds  of  his  ample  abai. 

"  It  is  large  enough  for  two." 

He  smilingly  and  somewhat  uncouthly  repeated  the 
foolish  phrase  which  he  considered  so  applicable,  so 
clever,  and  had  used  so  often  and  so  happily.  It  was 
as  pleasant  to  them  as  the  words  of  an  old  song  which 
are  sung  in  the  heart  as  well  as  by  the  lips. 

Ignoring  custom,  the  threatening  storm  of  evil — the 
ominous  conditions  which  overhung  them,  and  even  the 
very  existence  of  Abd-el-nour  and  Hilwe's  uncle,  and 
the  blood-feud,  they  lost  themselves  in  their  happiness. 

Surrounded  by  the  guardian  rocks,  the  clear  pure  air, 
and  the  sweet-smelling  pasture,  in  this  secluded  nook, 
where  the  narcissus  —  the  sacred  Rose  of  Sharon  — 
abounded,  to  which  lonely  spot  they  had  penetrated  in 
search  of  those  immaculate  blossoms  with  silvery-white 
wings  and  golden  heart,  beloved  of  all,  Nazarene  as 


198  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

well  as  Mohammedan,  they  forgot  the  outside  world, 
and  lived  in  themselves  alone. 

They  heard  the  gentle  bleating  of  the  sheep  which 
Hassan,  the  handsome  and  stalwart,  had  driven  before 
him  into  the  further  end  of  this  rocky  fastness  of 
beauty;  and  the  free  carolling  of  the  flocks  of  birds 
which  flew  overhead,  with  soft  whizzing  of  wings  came 
nearer,  and  nearer.  But  these  gave  them  no  appre 
hension  of  interference.  They  rather  afforded  the 
sense  of  companionship  without  fear  of  intrusion  or 
interruption. 

Oh,  the  joy  of  it  —  the  preciousness  —  the  soul-glad 
ness  of  it —  to  recline  among  the  lilies  and  asphodels,  in 
this  close  and  blissful  communion,  and,  unmolested, 
taste  the  sweet  assurances  of  love ! 

So  far  as  her  presence  among  those  enchantingly 
lonesome  unfrequented  retreats  was  concerned  —  for 
this  Hilwe  had,  in  some  sort,  a  cover  or  colour,  in  that 
Fatima,  her  own  uncle's  wife,  who  had  authority  over 
her,  had  urged  her  to  seek  the  flowers.  It  gave  a 
countenance  to  the  transaction  which,  in  the  absence  of 
the  foster-mother's  permission,  it  could  not  have  had. 

What  satisfaction  pertains  to  such  little  incidents, 
what  a  support  they  afford,  and  what  enormous  conse 
quences  they  are  made  to  father. 

Even  the  harmless  well-used  abai  had  its  influence. 
It  inspired  a  security,  a  confidence,  a  guardianship  — 
almost  a  sanctity  and  a  benediction,  which  otherwise 
might  have  been  absent.  With  its  folds  around  them, 
within  its  protective  envelopment,  they  were  transformed 
—  were  new  creatures.  Its  circumference,  for  the  time 
being,  was  their  mosque  —  was  their  world.  They  were 
a  world  to  themselves. 

To  Hilwe,  Hassan  was  an  angel  of  light.  And  surely 
she  was  no  less  to  him. 

When  one  has  dealings  with  an  angel  of  light,  what 
may*  it  not  imply? 

"  Thou  art  dearer  to  me  than  my  own  flesh.  What 
would  I  not  do  for  thee !  Thou  art  the  delight  of  my 
eyes,  and  my  life  —  my  promised  spouse.  Have  I  not 
said  thou  art  rightly  named  Hilwe,  for  thou  art  very 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  199 

sweet  and  pleasant  to  me?  My  beloved,  surely  my 
soul  cleaveth  unto  thee ;  and  all  the  ways  of  my  being 
turneth  to  thee  !  " 

These  were  the  impassioned  words  with  which  he 
addressed  her. 

But  words  are  not  enough.  Glances  are  not  enough. 
What  is  enough  for  love? 

He  held  one  of  the  fragrant  blossoms  between  his 
teeth,  and  softly  and  persuasively  rubbed  it  against  her 
lips. 

How  intently  his  eyes  gazed  into  hers  ! 

She  could  scarcely  bear  it  —  could  scarcely  contain 
the  joy  of  it. 

The  smile  had  gone  from  his  face.  How  serious, 
almost  solemn  he  looked,  with  that  far-off,  absorbed 
contemplation,  consuming  imagination,  —  as  if  his  soul 
was  issuing  to  mingle  with  hers,  to  be  one  with  hers ! 
But  he  was  handsomer  than  ever.  What  languishing 
entreaty  was  in  his  expression !  She  felt  his  warm 
breath  upon  her  cheek. 

"  Dost  thou  love  me,  Hilwe?  " 

Well  he  knew  she  loved  him;  but  he  wanted  to  hear 
her  say  so. 

"  I  love  and  I  fear  thee  "  —  with  a  sigh.  "  Dost  thou 
love  me,  Hassan?  " 

"  Yea.     I  never  loved  thee  as  I  do  now,"  he  repeated. 

Then,  in  a  sudden  transport  of  love  triumphant,  he 
drew  her  to  him;  his  arms  were  around  her;  and  he 
kissed  her  again  and  again. 

Happy  damsel,  and  happy  lover.  Their  cup  of  bliss 
was  full  to  overflowing.  For  them,  all  the  golden  caril 
lons  —  the  joy-bells  of  love,  in  heaven  and  on  earth, 
rang,  and  chimed,  and  pealed,  in  tangled  sound  —  in 
inexpressible  harmony  of  rapture  and  wonder.  And 
the  evening  was  as  the  morning.  And  time  had  gone 
astray,  and  lost  the  reckoning.  For  the  day  had  been 
born  again;  and  all  things  were  new. 

Sweeter  than  ever,  with  the  approach  of  evening, 
ascended  the  perfume  of  the  flowers.  The  songs  of  the 
birds  took  on  a  higher,  more  blessed  note,  as  if  they 
were  an  angelic  epithalamium.  The  subdued  tinkling 


2OO  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

of  the  sheep-bells  sounded  like  an  echo  of  the  celestial 
carols  that  only  ring  for  bridals  made  above.  And 
Hassan  and  Hilvve  were  the  centre  of  it  all. 

Lightly  the  golden  moments  passed  for  them.  The 
time  for  their  return  had  arrived  before  they  knew  it. 
They  must  go. 

Slowly  and  with  a  self-consciousness  that  was  a  con 
fession,  they  at  last  gathered  up  the  flowers,  and  pre 
pared  to  depart. 

It  was  like  Adam  and  Eve  leaving  Eden,  after  the 
first  sin. 

As  they  left  the  place —  Hilwe  laden  with  the  flowers, 
Hassan  driving  his  sheep,  —  Hilwe,  looking  back,  burst 
into  tears. 

"  Why  dost  thou  weep,  Hilvve?  Am  I  not  as  thine 
own  self?  Dost  thou  not  love  me  any  more?  " 

"Love  thee,  askest  thou?  Well  thou  knowest  that 
I  love  thee." 

"  Then  why  weepest  thou  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know." 

"  If  thou  knowest  not,  it  is  well." 

She  hung  her  head  thoughtfully. 

"  It  is  because  —  because  it  will  never  again  be  as  it 
has  been.  And  —  and  — 

She  could  say  no  more.  She  knew  not  how  to  define 
the  conflict  of  feelings  within  her. 

As  for  happy  yet  pensive  Hassan,  a  certain  proud 
assurance  had  taken  possession  of  him.  There  was 
not  the  least  misgiving,  regret,  or  doubt  mingled  with  the 
reflections  with  which  he  regarded  the  events  of  the  day. 

He  felt  more  a  man  than  ever.     That  was  sufficient. 

"  Have  no  foreboding,  Hilwe,"  he  said.  "  Think  not 
that  I  have  humbled  thee.  My  love  has  made  thee 
mine.  Thou  art  now  mine  own.  Thou  art  even  as  my 
wife.  Dost  thou  not  know?" 

11  Yea." 

"  And  not  thy  uncle,  nor  Abd-el-nour,  nor  the  sheik, 
nor  aught  else  can  change  it." 

"  Yea." 

She  believed  what  he  told  her,  regardless  of 
appearances. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  201 

She  said  no  more ;  but,  gathering  her  head-drapery 
more  closely  about  her  face,  followed  him  as  if  already 
he  was  her  lord  and  master. 

"  Now  art  thou  mine  indeed.  I  have  made  thee 
mine,"  he  declared  imperiously. 

Our  nebulous  incandescent  central  orb  —  the  greater 
light  that  rules  the  day  —  had  already  lost  his  power  in 
the  heavens,  and  was  gathering  his  royal  purple  and 
crimson  robes  around  him,  his  golden  crown  resting 
upon  his  brow  —  evidently  determined  and  prepared 
to  die  like  a  king  — as  Hassan  and  Hilwe  reached  the 
point  where  their  ways  diverged,  and  where  they  must 
separate. 

"  Mayest  thou  be  in  the  keeping  of  God,  Hilwe,"  he 
said. 

"  And  thou  too,"  she  responded.  "  May  Allah  ever 
protect  thee  with  his  merciful  goodness." 

"  Keep  up  thy  courage,  Hilwe.  Remember  what  I 
have  said  to  thee.  Naught  can  divide  thee  and 
me." 

These  were  his  last  words. 

With  a  smile  and  a  sigh  she  parted  from  him.  The 
smile  was  from  hope,  and  was  for  Hassan.  The  sigh, 
for  herself,  was  born  of  the  woman's  keener  emotional 
intuition  and  prescience  —  unknown  to  the  man.  He 
perceived,  as  was  intended,  but  the  former,  and  was 
undisturbed. 

She  had  reached  the  foot  of  the  tell.  The  sun  kept 
sinking  slowly,  his  face  getting  ever  more  passionately 
ruddy.  How  round  and  rubicund  it  shone  through  the 
violet  earth-mist!  Down,  down  he  went,  a  globe  of 
glory,  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  horizon's  verge.  But 
as  Hilwe  with  her  trophy  of  flowers  rapidly  ascended 
the  lofty  tell  —  as  she  rose  higher  and  higher,  it  had 
the  apparent  effect  of  staying  his  descent.  It  seemed 
to  arrest  his  decline  —  to  make  him  stand  still  in  the 
heavens.  It  was  like  a  gentle  reflection  of  Joshua's 
miracle,  when,  in  his  fight  with  the  Amorites,  he  bade 
the  sun  stand  still  upon  Gibeon,  which  is  nigh  unto 
this  place. 

So  it  was  that  the  sun  was  yet  in  sight  at  Malha,  as 


202  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Hilwe  reached  the  summit  of  the  tell,  and  her  foot 
crossed  the  threshold  of  her  home. 

At  the  same  moment,  down  in  the  valley,  the  sun 
had  set;  and,  in  the  twilight,  Hassan,  having  cared 
for  his  sheep,  was  saying  to  himself  these  words:  — 

"  Surely  there  is  nothing  to  compare  with  the  love  of 
woman.  Not  so  much  the  love  of  the  woman  for  the 
man,  as  his  love  for  the  woman.  It  is  that  which 
takes  him  out  of  himself  —  which  draws  the  life  and 
the  soul  out  of  him." 

He  was  a  simple  man,  and  said  what  he  thought. 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

THE  next  morning  found  Hilwe  in  Jerusalem, 
where,  with  Amne,  she  soon  was  busy  disposing 
of  the  narcissus  flowers.  The  girls  had  been  accom 
panied  by  several  of  the  elder  women  of  Malha,  each  of 
whom  had  something  for  sale.  Some  of  them  brought 
the  oak  and  olive-wood  roots  grubbed  out  of  the  earth 
—  the  ordinary  fuel  of  the  Holy  City;  others  the  water 
of  Ain  Karim  and  Malha,  conveyed  in  the  odd-looking 
black  goat-skins  prepared  for  the  purpose,  with  the 
skin  of  the  various  parts  of  the  body,  including  the 
legs  and  neck,  remaining,  and,  filled  with  water,  stand 
ing  straight  out  in  grim  and  mocking  similitude  to 
the  original  living  animal,  the  water  being  dispensed 
through  an  opening  in  the  neck.  A  few  brought  vege 
tables  ;  while  two  or  three  had  spread  upon  the  ground 
before  them  handkerchiefs  piled  with  saffron.  But  all 
envied  Hilwe  and  Amne,  for  whose  narcissus  blooms 
there  was  an  instant  demand  at  favourable  prices. 

They  came,  as  usual,  in  company;  and  their  train, 
in  indigo-blue  robes,  and  white  headdresses,  presented 
a  picturesque  addition  to  the  various  groups  of  men 
and  women  entering  or  departing  through  the  high  por 
tals  of  the  ancient  Jaffa  Gate,  that  beautiful  morning. 

Immediately  within,  and  on  the  outside  as  well,  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  203 

crowds  of  buyers  and  sellers  of  merchandise  formed  a 
dense  mass  of  humanity,  among  which  might  be  found 
representatives  of  from  thirty  to  forty  different  nation 
alities,  many  of  them  from  far  distant  quarters  of  the 
earth,  and  the  greater  part  of  them  distinguishable  by 
their  dress  —  each  being  arrayed  in  the  costume  of  his 
country.  Particularly  noticeable  among  the  surging 
crowd  were  the  hundreds  and  thousands  of  pilgrims 
and  the  ecclesiastics  on  their  way  to  and  from  the  Holy 
Sepulchre  and  the  various  other  shrines  and  sacred 
places.  Towering  above  all  others  was  the  magnificent 
form  of  the  Greek  Patriarch,  fully  six  feet  and  six 
inches  in  stature,  and  proportioned  accordingly.  Sur 
rounded  by  his  bishops  and  archimandrites,  returning 
from  the  performance  of  some  holy  office  of  his  Church, 
and  preceded  by  cavasses  with  silver-mounted  staves, 
his  Blessedness  moved  slowly  forward,  with  august 
mien  and  unquestionable  dignity,  wearing  a  fur-lined 
robe,  his  high  round  hat  being  covered  with  a  large 
black  veil,  reaching  below  his  shoulders.  His  rich 
deep  voice  was  like  the  roll  of  an  organ,  and  his  force 
ful  glance  was  tempered  with  geniality  and  a  certain 
mildness. 

So  also  were  in  abundant  evidence  the  Jews  of  differ 
ent  countries,  who,  while  disinctively  Hebrew,  had 
each  some  peculiarity,  chiefly  in  his  head-gear,  denot 
ing  the  land  he  hailed  from,  and  which  seemed  to  reach 
its  climax  in  the  hat  of  the  Polish  Jew,  trimmed  along 
the  brim  with  projecting  bristly  fur,  and  far  from 
becoming. 

The  colour  and  variety  of  the  garments  of  this  mot 
ley  multitude  are  kaleidoscopic.  Yet,  so  far  as  the 
Syrian,  Turk,  Egyptian,  and  East  Indian  are  con 
cerned,  there  is  an  harmonious  blending  of  tints  and 
shades  in  the  dress,  which  is  decidedly  pleasing  and 
shows  a  feeling  for  colour.  With  them  rarely  is  seen 
a  primary  colour;  secondary  and  tertiary  tones  prevail; 
and  a  sultry  citron,  a  peculiar  grayish  blue,  a  ripened 
russet,  or  a  soft  neutral  olive  is  most  frequently  found, 
topped  off  with  a  crimson  fez  or  tarboosh,  giving  the 
accentuating  note  to  the  whole.  Where  there  is  a 


204  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

crude  or  discordant  note  in  the  gamut,  it  usually  pro 
ceeds  from  the  Jew. 

The  native  women  of  Jerusalem  are  not  the  least 
conspicuous  members  of  the  motley  throng,  as,  singly 
or  in  groups,  they  surge  to  and  fro,  closely  veiled  — 
not  even  their  eyes  visible,  and  entirely  enveloped  in 
their  loose,  balloon-like  outer  robe,  generally  of  white 
cotton,  though  sometimes  of  striped  silk.  This  pecu 
liar  garment  completely  disguises  and  disfigures  the 
form  of  its  wearer,  from  head  to  foot,  in  this  respect 
resembling  the  domino. 

As  the  eye  glances  over  this  mixed  assemblage  of 
Turk,  Syrian,  Hindoo,  Nubian,  Russian,  Greek,  Italian, 
Briton,  Persian,  Egyptian,  Armenian,  Bedawin,  Abys 
sinian,  Bulgarian,  and  all  the  rest,  too  numerous  to 
mention,  it  becomes  dazzled  and  confused,  as  the  ear 
is  perplexed  and  stunned  by  the  Babel  of  languages. 
Laden  camels  and  donkeys,  and  zaptiehs  mounted  on 
horseback,  add  to  the  commotion. 

Day  after  day,  for  many  centuries,  the  sublime  castle- 
like  gateway,  the  principal  entrance  to  the  ancient  city, 
has  looked  down  on  this  remarkable  scene.  The  gate 
of  grayish  stone  —  a  marbleised  limestone,  ripened  on 
the  southerly  side,  by  the  sun,  to  a  rich  yellowish  or 
orange  hue,  as  are  all  the  old  buildings  in  Jerusalem  — 
has  set  in  it,  within  the  high  interior  archway,  an 
entablature  with  inscription  in  ornamental  Arabic  to 
the  sultan  who  built  the  gateway;  and  this  fretwork 
of  fantastic  lettering  is  relieved  by  a  modern  ground 
of  aquamarine  blue,  which,  though  out  of  place,  is  not 
inharmonious. 

Near  by,  to  the  westward,  on  the  northeasterly  slope 
of  Mount  Zion,  stands  with  imposing  mien  the  Fortress 
of  Sultan  Suleyman,  with  the  Tower  of  David,  even  in 
its  decay  an  embodiment  of  stately  stalwart  strength. 

This  remarkable  pile  of  buildings,  in  olden  times 
must  have  constituted  a  formidable  defence,  in  connec 
tion  with  the  castellated  wall  surrounding  the  entire 
city.  The  flank,  close  by  the  Jaffa  Gate,  terminates 
in  the  grand  quadrangular  battlemented  stronghold 
already  mentioned,  known  generally,  per  se,  as  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  205 

Tower  of  David,  the  remainder  of  the  fortification,  on 
account  of  its  position,  partly  hidden  by  other  build 
ings,  not  being  so  impressive  from  within,  though  on 
the  outside  of  the  city  presenting  a  noble  and  pic 
turesque  front,  on  the  heights  above  the  Bethlehem  road. 

This  dominant  quadrangular  tower,  sometimes  called 
the  Hippicus  and  Tower  of  Herod,  as  well  as  of  David, 
is  unquestionably  of  great  antiquity,  and  is  supposed 
to  be  one  of  the  great  towers  spared  by  Titus.  It, 
too,  is  touched  on  its  southerly  side  to  a  rich  pleasant 
yellow;  for,  unlike  the  suns  of  other  lands,  which  fade 
what  they  look  at,  the  opulent  sun  of  the  Orient  turns 
to  gold  what  he  kisses.  The  lower  third,  including 
the  foundations,  is  considered  to  date  back  to  the  time 
of  the  Jebusites,  before  David  captured  the  place,  and 
when  it  was  held  to  be  impregnable.  The  middle  third 
is  of  ancient  Hebrew  or  Phoenician  structure,  while 
the  remaining  upper  portions  are  Saracenic.  The 
entire  is  surrounded  by  a  dry  moat  or  foss,  which  is 
crossed  by  a  covered  wooden  bridge,  entrance  to  which 
is  had  through  a  high  gateway,  to  which  a  flight  of 
broad  steps  leads  up  from  the  street. 

The  strange,  the  unique,  feature  of  this  ancient  tower 
is  one  of  peculiar  interest,  though  it  appears  to  have 
but  seldom  attracted  attention :  the  lower  two-thirds 
are  not  an  inclosed  walled  space,  like  an  ordinary  fort 
or  castle,  but  are  of  solid  masonry  throughout.  In 
fact  they  are  a  massive  foundation  or  platform-like 
substructure  for  the  upper  works. 

Tradition  had  long  reported  that  a  secret,  under 
ground  passage,  along  the  line  of  David  street,  con 
nected  the  tower  with  the  Holy  Temple;  so  that  in 
time  of  danger  the  enormously  valuable  treasures  of 
the  Sanctuary  could  be  quietly  conveyed  by  the  priests 
to  the  place  of  safety  afforded  by  this  citadel. 

This  story  had  reached  the  ears  of  the  Turks,  who 
presently  took  occasion  to  break  into  the  massive 
masonry,  which  had  never  been  penetrated,  in  search  of 
the  vast  and  priceless  hoard  supposed  to  have  been  depos 
ited  there  in  A.D.  70,  when  the  city  was  taken  by  Titus. 

In  the  westerly  side  of  the  building,  a  cavity,  made 


206  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

with  laborious  effort,  is,  to  this  day,  evidence  of  the 
cupidity  and  disappointment  of  the  Turks.  They  found, 
to  their  great  chagrin,  all  that  part  of  the  tower  to  be, 
as  above  mentioned,  of  solid  stonework,  like  unto  that 
of  the  pyramids,  traversed  only  by  a  few  low  and  nar 
row  air  passages,  through  which  a  man  could  with  diffi 
culty  squeeze.  The  vessels  and  shields  of  gold,  the 
chests  of  money  and  coffers  of  precious  stones,  which, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  rifled  Tomb  of  David  on  Mount 
Zion,  they  had  hoped  to  find,  were  all  a  myth  —  a  delu 
sion.  Their  labour  had  been  in  vain. 

One  thing,  however,  was  proved :  The  great  size  of 
the  wonderful  bevelled  stones  of  the  interior;  and  the 
character  of  the  work  thus  disclosed,  afforded  conclu 
sive  evidence  of  the  antiquity  of  that  part  of  the  build 
ing.  Those  peculiar  ponderous  stones,  there  could  be 
little  question,  occupied  their  original  positions  — 
they  had  never  been  moved. 

One  who  has  justly  been  accredited  with  extreme 
carefulness  in  statements  connected  with  such  a  case 
as  this,  has  said:  "Doubtless  the  shadow  of  Christ  may 
have  fallen  upon  this  tower."  It  is  one  of  the  few 
places  in  Jerusalem  of  which  this  may  be  affirmed. 

Of  course  there  have  been  changes.  In  the  many 
sieges  there  have  been  injuries  which  have  been  re 
paired.  But  these  are  palpable,  comparatively  trifling, 
and  at  once  distinguishable  from  the  ancient,  primitive 
structure. 

A  much  older  tradition  connects  the  place  with  the 
palace  of  King  David,  asserting  that  it  was  from  this 
tower  the  King  first  beheld  Bathsheba,  the  wife  of  the 
noble  Hittite,  the  brave  Uriah,  when  the  brilliant  but 
inconstant  beauty  took  her  bath.  This  was  she  who 
afterwards  became  the  mother  of  Solomon. 

How  sedately  and  quaintly  the  old  chronicle  narrates 
the  circumstance,  without  blush,  or  hesitation,  or  cir 
cumlocution  ;  and  with  that  soft  echoing  chime  of  an 
introductory  clause,  so  long  and  so  dearly  familiar  to 
the  Oriental  ear:  "And  it  came  to  pass."  Again,  and 
again,  never  wearisome,  it  rings,  and  ushers  in  some 
special  narrative  or  story. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  207 

Listen  to  it :  — 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  in  an  eveningtide,  that  David 
arose  from  off  his  bed,  and  walked  upon  the  roof  of  the 
king's  house:  and  from  the  roof  he  saw  a  woman 
washing  herself;  and  the  woman  was  very  beautiful 
to  look  upon.  And  David  sent  and  inquired  after  the 
woman." 

It  seems  as  if  it  were  only  yesterday  that  it  had  all 
occurred.  And  the  tower  still  stands  there,  an  ever 
lasting  witness  to  the  wickedness  and  base  treachery  of 
him  who  occupied  the  exalted  place,  and  the  nobility 
and  grandeur  of  the  comparatively  humble  Hittite 
soldier. 

The  women  from  Malha,  though  keeping  together  as 
much  as  possible,  had  joined  other  women  who,  living 
at  nearer  places,  had  come  in  earlier;  all  taking  their 
seats  on  the  curbstones  at  each  side  of  David  Street, 
which  at  this  end  is  the  widest  street  in  Jerusalem, 
and  has  somewhat  the  character  of  a  square,  leading 
up  to  the  Turkish  Barracks  on  Mount  Zion. 

But  few  of  the  stately  and  handsome  women  from 
Bethlehem  were  found  among  them.  Mostly  Chris 
tians,  and  boasting  of  their  Crusader  descent,  they 
form  a  sort  of  aristocracy  among  themselves,  and  have 
but  little  in  common  with  their  poor  Moslem  sisters. 
Their  merchandise,  too,  is  chiefly  of  a  different  sort, 
consisting  usually  of  embroidery,  the  carved  shells  — 
the  finest  of  which  resemble  Mechlin  lace  —  and  other 
mother-of-pearl  work,  often  of  commendable  artistic 
merit,  in  the  shape  of  crosses,  chaplets,  brooches  and 
pins.  They  also  offer  vases,  cups  and  other  articles 
made  of  the  black  asphaltic  stone  from  the  Dead  Sea. 
All  these,  of  the  celebrated  Bethlehem  work,  have  a 
widespread  reputation;  and  the  women  of  the  City  of 
the  Nativity  carry  themselves  with  a  proud  air,  and 
are  distinguished  by  their  peculiar  high  headdress,  of 
horseshoe  shape,  covered  with  white  drapery. 

From  the  Moslem  village  of  Silwan  or  Siloam,  cover 
ing  the  cliffs  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Cedron  valley, 
a  numerous  delegation  is  present,  bringing  fruits,  herbs 
and  vegetables.  These  are  grown  in  what  is  called  to 


2o8  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

this  day  the  King's  Garden,  composed  of  a  series  of 
inclosed  cultivated  fields,  at  the  bottom  of  the  valley, 
and  running  up  partly  on  the  southerly  Jerusalem 
slopes,  which,  in  places,  are  planted  to  the  very  walls 
of  the  city.  Doubtless  it  is  what  formerly  consti 
tuted  the  garden  and  pleasure-grounds  of  the  kings 
of  Judah;  and,  according  to  tradition,  probably  may 
have  been  planned  and  laid  out  by  King  Hezekiah,  if 
not  Solomon,  the  garden-loving  king.  It  is  abun 
dantly  irrigated  by  the  waters  overflowing  from  the 
Pool  of  Siloam,  which  is  just  beneath  the  hill;  and 
the  Jerusalem  market  receives  its  finest  fruits  and  vege 
tables  from  this  garden  and  from  those  other  and  greater 
gardens  of  Solomon,  in  the  green  Valley  of  Urtas,  be 
low  the  three  vast  pools  which  he  built  to  water  them, 
and  which  may  be  seen,  at  this  present  time,  several 
miles  southwest  of  Jerusalem,  on  the  road  to  Hebron. 

To-day,  within  the  walls  of  the  Holy  City,  in  the 
shelter  of  the  streets,  there  is  a  moist  languid  pulse 
to  the  air  which  conveys  a  feeling  of  soothing  repose, 
thoroughly  consonant  with  the  Oriental  temperament. 
The  traffic  of  the  women  vendors,  in  spite  of  their 
complicated  rivalries,  has  taken  on  a  more  subdued 
tone  than  usual,  and,  with  few  exceptions,  there 
have  been  no  serious  quarrels  between  them ;  yet  they 
have  not  been  very  successful  in  disposing  of  their 
goods. 

Hilwe  and  Amne  had  gradually  wandered  off  further 
down  David  Street,  where  a  series  of  steps  leads  into 
the  sudden  descent  through  the  Bazaar,  and  the  way  is 
very  narrow,  and  crowded  on  each  side  by  numerous 
small  shops  and  stores.  The  awnings  overhead,  some 
times  of  matting,  sometimes  of  cloth,  reach  entirely 
across  the  street,  subduing  the  light,  and  adding  to 
the  peculiar  disconsolate  picturesqueness  of  the  place. 
Here,  if  possible,  the  crowd  was  more  dense  than  ever; 
and  the  occasional  passage  of  a  loaded  camel,  as  he 
strode  by  with  tinkling  bells  and  decorated  with  a  great 
blue  bead  fastened  around  his  neck,  to  ward  off  the 
influence  of  the  "evil  eye,"  was  almost  dangerous  to 
life,  as  there  was  barely  room  enough  left  for  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  209 

people  to  squeeze  out  of  his  way  on  each  side,  and 
escape  being  crushed  to  death. 

"Let  us  go  further  on,  down  by  Christian  Street," 
suggested  Amne. 

"Why  should  we  go  there?"  asked  Hilwe,  doubt 
fully. 

"  There  the  pilgrims  turn  aside  to  the  Holy  Sepul 
chre,  where  is  the  shrine  of  their  prophet  Issa,  and 
the  faithful  keep  straight  on  to  the  Great  Mosque,  the 
Haram-es-Sherif.  We  there  shall  find  plenty  of  the 
best  customers." 

"It  is  well.  I  shall  do  as  thou  sayest,"  was  the 
simple  answer  of  Hilwe. 

"  Then  come  at  once.  See  the  Greek  priests  and 
monks!  They  will  buy  of  us." 

Where  Christian  Street  branches  eastward  out  of 
David  Street,  at  length  giving  access  to  the  Street  of 
the  Palmers  and  the  Via  Dolorosa,  and  finally  to  the 
Church  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  at  the  junction,  and  for 
a  short  distance,  each  way,  it  is  arched  and  built  over 
head  with  houses.  This  darkens  and  renders  more 
gloomy  the  already  semi-twilight  aspect  of  the  place. 
But  there  are  sheltering  angles  and  recesses  beneath 
the  groined  roof  on  which  the  dwellings  are  supported. 
In  one  of  these  angles  the  young  girls  found  a  favour 
able  position  for  themselves  and  their  crate-like  baskets 
containing  the  narcissus  flowers,  whose  fresh  natural 
fragrance,  floating  out  on  the  air,  was  a  grateful  relief  to 
the  close  and  often  musty  atmosphere  of  the  contracted 
dingy  shops. 

Occasionally,  it  is  true,  came  whiffs  of  pungent  gales 
from  the  mart  of  the  spice-merchants,  or  the  more 
refreshing  aroma  from  the  golden  store  of  the  vendors 
of  oranges  and  lemons  from  Jaffa.  The  hinged  shut 
ters  of  those  box-like  stalls,  let  down  and  loaded  with 
great  heaps  of  the  luscious  fruit,  made  an  attractive 
display. 

Here,  too,  were  gathered  the  immemorial  money 
changers — -always  Jews  —  with  their  wire-grated  boxes 
of  coin  or  banknotes,  the  currency  of  many  lands,  from 
the  deteriorated  paper  ruble  of  Russia  to  the  lira  of 

14 


2io  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Italy  and  the  golden  napoleon  of  France,  or  the  sover 
eign  of  England  with  the  image  and  superscription  of 
the  revered  and  beloved  queen  upon  it.  Thus  is  the 
prophecy  fulfilled  that  the  gold  of  the  Gentiles  shall 
be  given  unto  them. 

The  women,  absorbed  in  their  dealings,  and  taken 
up  with  their  own  petty  bickerings,  gave  little  heed  to 
the  young  girls,  and  scarcely  noticed  their  absence;  or, 
if  they  thought  of  them,  took  for  granted  they  were 
well  occupied  in  making  remunerative  sales  of  their 
flowers. 

Not  a  few  of  these  peasant  women  were  a  pitiful 
sight, — gaunt,  wrinkled  and  aged  before  their  time, 
their  dark  indigo  garments  clinging  in  dejected  scanty 
folds  about  their  spare  spectral  figures.  How  hard  is 
their  lot !  No  one  appeared  to  have  pity  on  them  — 
none  to  regard  or  compassionate.  Each  customer 
seemed  to  want  the  closest  of  bargains,  wrenching  the 
very  life  out  of  those  withered  beings,  till,  at  last,  in 
a  sort  of  despair  of  getting  their  price,  or  of  selling  at 
all,  they  would  abandon  the  contest,  and  give  up  their 
little  pile  of  wood  or  bunch  of  roots,  to  them  like  theii 
life-blood,  for  a  despicable  Turkish  coin  —  an  old-style, 
depreciated  bishlik,  with  the  copper,  all  too  evident, 
showing  through  the  uncommonly  thin  wash  of  silver, 
or  a  few  insignificant  battered  piastres,  or  half-handfu" 
of  meagre  attenuated  metaliks,  worn  sharp  by  circu 
lation. 

Then,  when  the  police  passed  by,  with  swords  b) 
their  sides,  always  officious  and  exacting  where  the) 
need  not  be,  but  had  better  be  otherwise,  they  woulc 
hustle  and  push  the  poor  creatures  domineeringly,  tell 
ing  them  angrily  that  they  were  in  the  way,  and  upset 
ting  and  scattering  their  scanty  stores. 

So  it  went  on,  from  hour  to  hour,  till  the  day  itsel 
appeared  to  grow  tired  of  it,  and  half  worn  out  by  it 
for  it  was  already  afternoon. 

The  women,  seldom  looking  up,  but  almost  ever  look 
ing  down,  began  to  measure  the  shadows  cast  by  th 
buildings,  and  unwillingly  count  on  the  probability  o 
having  to  carry  back  to  their  homes  their  loads,  ove 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  211 

the  weary  way  they  had  brought  them,  only  to  be 
conveyed  into  the  city  on  another  occasion. 

So  they  squat  on  beneath  that  ancient  Tower  of  David, 
wrapped  in  their  insufficient  garments,  the  cold  heart  - 
lessness  of  their  lives  become  an  accepted  fact,  a  perma 
nent  condition,  which  they  do  not  dream  of  contending 
with.  They  do  not  even  murmur  at  their  fate.  Its 
heaviness  has  lain  so  long  upon  them,  they  seem  to 
know  no  better. 

As  if  in  mockery,  it  is  a  gala  day  or  holiday,  per 
haps  the  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  one  of  the  exalted 
rulers  of  the  earth,  for  all  the  consular  flags  are  flying. 
The  information  doubtless  has  been  diplomatically  con 
veyed,  by  the  consul  in  question,  to  his  brother-consuls 
and  the  local  government :  "  It  is  the  anniversary  of  the 
birth  of  my  august  sovereign.  The  flag  will  be  dis 
played  over  the  Consulate.  There  will  also  be  an 
official  reception,"  etc.  Hence  the  result  —  this  break 
ing  out  or  burgeoning  of  flags. 

Over  the  heads  of  those  despised  sisters  and  wives  of 
the  land,  above  the  armed  battlements,  the  Turkish  ban 
ner,  the  symbol  of  the  Ottoman  power,  sullenly  flaunts 
its  crimson  folds,  charged  with  white  crescent  and  star. 

Immediately  opposite,  strange  juxtaposition,  ripples 
out  gaily,  cheerily,  bravely,  the  beautiful  flag  of  liberty 
• — the  emblem  of  the  Great  Republic  across  the  sea  — 
the  fair  young  gonfalon  with  silver  and  red  stripes,  and 
that  bright  constellation  of  co-equal  stars,  all  of  the 
first  magnitude,  set  in  untarnished  blue  like  to  the 
very  heaven  itself.  Lifted  high  above  the  American 
Consulate,  on  the  slopes  of  Mount  Zion,  from  the 
tallest  flagstaff  in  Jerusalem,  it  careers  and  plunges, 
like  a  living  creature,  in  the  breezes  that  blow  freshly 
over  the  Judaean  hills.  That  mast  of  pine,  brought 
across  the  Atlantic,  grew  and  flourished  for  many  a 
year  in  one  of  the  vast  forests  of  Maine,  one  of  thou 
sands,  bearing  its  green  honours  serenely,  meekly.  But 
here,  away  from  the  land  of  its  birth,  it  has  burst 
into  this  glorious  blossom  of  majesty  —  this  flower-of- 
flowers,  whose  dazzling  petals  flash  back  triumphantly 
the  signals  of  the  sun. 


212  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Hail,  holy  flag !  Sanctified  with  love  even  to  the 
death,  the  flag  of  newer  England  —  of  Greater  Britain 
—  great  because  she  has  conquered  herself.  No  nation 
can  be  great  till  she  has  conquered  herself.  England 
did  it,  in  her  Revolution,  and  before  that,  and  since. 
For  it  has  to  be  done  again,  and  again  —  sometimes 
continually.  And  America  did  it  when  —  when  - 
But  we  will  not  talk  of  that.  Are  we  not  all  brethren 
—  the  children  of  one  mother? 

Back  of  the  flag  and  in  the  rear  of  the  Consulate, 
rises  aloft,  but  leaning  pensively,  almost  pathetically, 
a  single  palm-tree  —  a  relic  —  a  retrospect  and  a  hope. 
Type  of  Israel's  lost  glory  —  her  only  flag  to-day  !  She 
has  no  other!  Sad  reminder  of  the  period  when  the 
Mount  of  Olives  and  the  hills  of  Jerusalem  were  sump 
tuous  with  palm-trees  —  so  abundant  that,  in  the  time 
of  Christ,  the  multitude  of  rejoicing  people,  crying 
"  Hosanna  to  the  Son  of  David,"  cut  down  the  branches 
and  strewed  them  in  the  way,  on  his  entry,  through  the 
Golden  Gate,  into  the  city. 

There  is  one  nationality  that  is  a  part  of  every  nation 
ality.  Without  a  government,  it  is  a  part  of  every 
government.  It  has  no  flag  or  other  insignia  of  its 
individuality;  scarcely  has  it  a  standing  or  a  name. 
Despised,  driven,  peeled  and  persecuted  by  almost 
every  nation  upon  earth,  it  has  accepted  all  this  as 
part  of  its  destiny  —  as  the  judgment  of  God  —  and  gone 
forward,  bearing  the  heavy  burden  —  believing,  yea, 
knowing  that  the  end  with  its  glorious  results  will  as 
surely  be  fulfilled  as  that  the  morrow  will  dawn  with 
the  rising  of  the  sun.  For,  above  all  the  awful  judg 
ment-thunder,  it  hears  the  voice  that  spake  in  the 
beginning:  "Thou  art  my  people,  O  House  of  Israel! 
I  will  make  of  thee  a  great  nation.  In  thee  shall  all 
the  families  of  the  earth  be  blessed." 

A  short  distance  within  the  Jaffa  Gate,  indeed  within 
its  shadow,  waves  the  faded  pale  blue  and  white  ensign 
of  Portugal  —  one  of  the  older  and  smaller  kingdoms, 
of  enterprise  and  valour,  which  boasts  of  its  blue  blood, 
and,  in  its  day,  has  made  its  mark  upon  the  world,  and 
need  not  be  ashamed. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  213 

While,  far  down,  in  the  heart  of  the  city,  amid  the 
labyrinth  of  its  narrowest  streets,  hangs,  heavily  and 
drowsily,  like  a  half-closed  tawny  lily,  the  old  blood- 
red-and-yellow  glory  of  Spain  with  its  emblazoned  lions 
and  castles,  the  damp  occasional  breeze  only  reaching 
it,  in  its  sheltered  position,  at  long  intervals,  and  rarely 
unfolding  and  displaying,  in  full,  the  wonder  of  its  rich 
colouring.  Radiant  and  mellow  as  an  illuminated  ini 
tial  from  an  antique  breviary,  it  stands  at  the  opening 
of  the  gray  and  gloomy  street. 

Within  the  house  over  which  it  casts  its  splendour 
and  the  magnificence  of  its  illustrious  but  tarnished 
past,  in  the  pleasant  reception-room,  has  hung,  for 
many  years,  a  full-length  life-size  portrait,  in  oils,  of 
Queen  Isabella  the  Second,  representing  Her  Majesty 
at  her  best.  Of  course,  this  best  must  be  taken  in  its 
one  particular  physical  sense,  or  with  its  qualifying 
grain  of  salt.  The  painting  shows  her  as  the  young 
queen,  and  in  full  dress,  and  is  flattered  to  the  full 
extent  the  preservation  of  the  likeness  would  permit. 
Poor  Isabella !  Though  pleasant,  and  even  to  the  present 
time  liked  and  loved  by  those  she  comes  in  contact 
with,  she  ceased  to  be  popular  in  Spain ;  and,  at  length, 
as  every  one  knows,  the  proud  old  land  could  not  con 
tain  her.  Strange  —  strange !  She  was  too  warm 
hearted  for  the  Spaniards !  The  punctilious,  haughty 
people  —  the  sublimated  hidalgos  with  all  their  gal 
lantry,  could  no  longer  endure  the  shame  of  it;  and 
she  was  obliged  to  abdicate  in  favour  of  her  son.  He, 
burning  the  candle  at  both  ends,  and  being  a  man, 
soon  was  dead;  and  so  her  little  infant  grandson, 
Alfonso  XIII.,  sinless  king,  is  monarch  of  Spain. 

Who  that  has  ever  seen  them  fails  to  remember 
pleasantly  the  dear  old  Spanish  consul  and  his  wife? 
Full  of  the  most  genuine  etiquette,  hallowed  by  the 
warmest  good-nature,  he  was  the  perfect  gentleman 
invariably.  There  they  stand  before  you,  both  pining 
for  their  native  Madrid ;  and  as  you  express  your  sym 
pathy  under  the  circumstances,  you  hear  him  console 
himself  by  saying  proudly :  "  But  one  cannot  be  consul 
of  Spain  and  live  in  Madrid." 


214  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Of  the  ten  foreign  consulates  at  Jerusalem,  the  three 
mentioned  are  the  only  ones  at  this  time  within  the 
walls.  All  the  others,  with  their  proud  ensigns,  even 
that  bearing  the  renowned  and  flamboyant  meteor  flag 
of  England,  gradually  have  been  moved  outside,  as  the 
city  grew  and  expanded.  There  soon  will  be  more 
houses  without  than  within  the  walls  of  Jerusalem. 

But  how  far  we  have  wandered  from  the  Tower  of 
David,  and  the  Jaffa  Gate,  and  the  poor  peasant 
women !  And  just  now  there  is  an  unusual  stir  at 
the  gate,  for  the  American  consul  is  entering,  on  his 
return  from  the  official  function,  which  he  has  attended 
in  the  required  state.  His  dragoman,  a  distinguished- 
looking  young  native  with  dark  languishingly  lustrous 
eyes,  and  gifted  with  the  knowledge  of  six  different 
languages,  accompanies  hirri ;  and  he  is  preceded  by  his 
cavasses  or  guards,  resplendent  objects,  in  their  gold- 
embroidered  jackets,  and  with  enormous  much-curved 
sabres  in  solid  silver  scabbards  by  their  sides.  They 
carry,  also,  long  staves,  heavily  mounted  and  knobbed 
in  silver,  with  which,  as  they  advance,  they  smite  the 
pavement,  till  it  resounds  again  and  again.  This  is 
an  old  custom,  observed  with  dignitaries,  to  give  notice 
of  their  approach,  and  to  clear  the  way. 

As  they  pass  through  the  sublime  portal,  the  Turkish 
guard  posted  there  presents  arms,  in  recognition  of  the 
consul,  who  makes  due  acknowledgment  of  the  govern 
ment  salute,  by  raising  his  hat. 

The  old  men,  seated  within  the  gate,  full  of  the 
gentle  reverence  of  the  East,  rise  and  stand  as  he 
passes,  to  do  honour  to  him;  and  some  of  the  groups 
instantly  begin  to  make  comments  upon  him;  for  this 
is  a  people  which  at  once  takes  the  measure  of  a  man. 
But  the  remarks  are  all  complimentary. 

"He  is  a  good  man,"  said  one  of  the  oldest  of 
the  natives,  venerable  with  long  white  flowing 
beard. 

"Yea,  a  good  man  and  a  just,  and  one  that  fears 
God,"  was  the  response  of  a  second,  who  seemed  his 
duplicate,  so  much  alike  were  they  with  their  steadfast, 
unflinching  eyes  and  placid  countenances. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  215 

Either  of  them  might  have  personated  Abraham  the 
Father  of  the  Faithful  and  the  Friend  of  God. 

A  third  and  younger  individual  acquiesced  with  some 
emotion  and  even  heat;  and,  like  his  companions,  pass 
ing  the  beads  of  his  chaplet  with  well-drilled  fingers  : 

"Thou  speakest  truly,"  he  said,  with  animated  ges 
tures.  "Verily  he  makes  one  love  him.  He  treats  us 
natives  like  men  —  the  other  consuls  use  us  as  if  we 
were  dogs. " 

"It  were  well  there  were  more  like  him.  He  deals 
righteously  with  us,  and  gives  us  wise  counsel  when 
we  take  our  troubles  to  him.  Yea,  though  he  need 
give  himself  no  care  about  us;  for  what  are  we  to  him 
that  he  should  weary  his  soul  over  us?  " 

This  was  uttered  by  the  first  speaker,  after  they  had 
all  resumed  their  seats. 

"  I  would  rather  go  to  him  than  to  our  own  courts. " 

"Thou  mayest  well  say  so.  Thou  wouldst  get  jus 
tice,  without  a  fee  or  backsheesh  to  pay.  He  would 
not  take  a  parah  from  thee. " 

By  this  time  the  consul  had  reached  that  part  of  the 
walk  where  the  peasant  women  had  crowded  and  were 
seated,  plying  their  traffic. 

The  cavasses,  though  natives  and  Moslems,  with  the 
pride  of  place  habitual  to  them,  and  eager  to  show  their 
authority,  would  have  pushed  the  women  aside  to  clear 
the  way  for  their  "chief,"  as  they  called  him.  This 
they  proceeded  to  do  with  some  roughness,  as  is  only 
too  common  in  such  cases. 

"  Get  out  of  the  way,"  they  shouted.  "Why  cumber 
the  walk  ?  Do  ye  not  see  the  Bey  ?  "  giving  the  consul 
his  Turkish  title.  "Will  you  hinder  him  on  the  way 
to  his  own  palace  ?  " 

But  the  consul  raised  his  hand,  and  shook  his  head, 
deprecatingly. 

"Let  them  alone,"  he  said.  "Do  not  disturb  them. 
The  poor  creatures  are  trying  to  make  a  living.  It  is 
hard  for  them  at  best.  Their  life  is  dark  and  bitter 
enough  already." 

The  women  could  hardly  understand  or  believe  that 
he  interfered  to  protect  them.  The  words  of  kindness 


216  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

in  a  strange  tongue  were  to  them  altogether  strange. 
But  they  saw  the  genial  glance  of  the  blue  eyes,  and 
the  restraining  motion,  and  heard  the  reproving  voice; 
and,  perceiving  he  was  their  friend,  returned  to  their 
places. 

"Verily  he  is  a  kind  man,"  they  said  to  one  another. 
"He  would  not  let  the  base-minded  cavasses  ill-treat 
us." 

"Yes;  he  is  a  kind  man.  Yet  have  I  little  faith  in 
any  man." 

This  was  said  by  Kadra,  who  sat  near  by,  and  who 
was  one  of  those  who  had  been  disturbed,  and  so  felt 
provoked. 

"  He  is  English." 

"No,  —  American,"  corrected  Kadra. 

"That  is  the  same  thing." 

"Perhaps." 

"They  are  all  Nazarenes  —  Christians." 

"Yea;  they  are  all  Giaours  —  Kaffirs —  Infidels." 

Notwithstanding  the  numerous  distinct  races,  people 
in  Palestine  are  usually  classed  and  spoken  of  by  their 
belief  or  religion. 

"There  is  Mustafa  Effendi, "  said  another  of  the 
women,  calling  attention  to  him  —  "a  well-favoured 
man  and  a  brave.  He  comes  this  way.  He  is  a  good 
man  and  benevolent." 

"Yea,"  responded  Kadra,  "he  is  a  good  man  and 
benevolent.  But  —  " 

Her  mouth  went  down  at  the  corners  with  a  hideous 
grimace,  the  expression  of  her  face  implying  unspeak 
able  things  —  untold-of  iniquity,  inclusive  of  all  the 
deadly  sins. 

This  is  one  of  the  peculiar  gestures  or  actions  of 
the  country,  and  is  but  too  common.  That  detestable 
implication  is  never  interrogated.  It  is  much  more 
agreeable  to  exercise  the  imagination.  No  one  would 
be  so  impolite  as  to  inquire  the  meaning  of  that  sig 
nificant  "But,"  which,  often  standing  at  the  end  of  a 
long  string  of  praises,  qualifies  and  nullifies  them  all, 
appearing  as  the  sum  and  substance  of  everything  that 
is  abominable.  Accompanied  by  that  almost  appalling 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  217 

gesture,  eulogium  is  more  to  be  dreaded  than  defama 
tion.  No  amount  of  mere  words  could  take  the  place 
of  that  pantomimic  slur.  Nothing  in  the  entire  range 
of  malign  epithet  could  satisfy  the  meaning  it  conveys. 

"He  is  a  cadi  —  a  judge,"  added  the  former  speaker. 

"  Oh  yes,  a  cadi." 

This  ironically. 

The  Effendi,  a  grave,  midde-aged  unmarried  man, 
with  oval  face  of  a  sickly  yellowish  hue  (though  with 
nothing  else  sickly  about  him  except,  perhaps,  his 
voice),  and  having  a  smooth  pleasant  manner,  flashed 
his  dark  eyes  upon  the  group,  as  he  slowly  came  up, 
searching  for  what  he  wanted.  Totally  unconscious 
of  the  remarks  of  which  he  had  been  the  subject,  he 
relaxed  sufficiently  from  his  dignity  to  do  business. 
He  spoke  in  a  languid  and  high-keyed  querulous  voice; 
and,  after  the  usual  almost  indispensable  parley  and 
bargaining,  purchased  the  remainder  of  the  stock  of 
one  of  the  women,  who,  as  he  was  without  his  servant, 
raised  the  basket  containing  it  to  her  head,  and  fol 
lowed  him  to  his  house. 

The  women  were  not  slow  to  notice  it  was  she  who 
had  eulogised  him ;  and  more  than  one  censorious 
remark  was  the  consequence. 

At  the  same  time  Kadra  sold  to  another  customer 
the  last  of  the  eggs  she  had  brought  in ;  and,  in  conse 
quence,  began  at  once  to  perceive  it  was  growing  late, 
and  was  time  to  leave. 

" Where  is  Hilwe?"  she  asked  excitedly.  "I  prom 
ised  to  wait  for  her.  But  it  is  long  past  the  hour  she 
said  she  would  be  here;  and  she  should  not  detain  me 
like  this.  It  is  a  shame!  She  must  have  sold  her 
flowers  long  ago." 

"Ah,  I  '11  warrant  she  and  Amne  are  amusing  them 
selves  visiting  the  bazaars !  " 

This  was  said  by  one  of  the  younger  women  who 
disliked  Kadra,  with  the  object  of  further  irritating 
her. 

"That  forward  Amne  is  equal  to  anything,"  was  the 
provoked  retort. 

"She  will  come  to  an  evil  end  yet,"  said  another  of 


2i 8  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

the  Malha  neighbours,  who,  with  several  others,  began 
to  gather  together  her  effects,  preparatory  to  taking 
her  departure. 

"  It  has  been  a  poor  day,  Kadra, "  said  a  frail  elderly 
woman  named  Nigme.  She  was  a  neglected  wife  of 
Abd-el-nour. 

"Yea;  though  I  managed  to  sell  what  little  I 
brought." 

"  Ah,  thou  art  lucky !  " 

The  speaker  had  lifted  to  her  head  a  basket  with  a 
few  poor  roots  which  she  had  grubbed  out  of  the  ground 
with  her  lean  hands. 

Kadra  smiled  at  the  implied  compliment. 

"Wait  a  little,  Nigme,"  she  said,  "and  I  '11  be  with 
thee.  I  see  Hilwe  coming.  Here  she  is." 

As  Kadra  spoke,  Hilwe  rushed  up,  breathless. 

"  Wast  thou  leaving  without  me  ?  "  she  said  reproach 
fully. 

"Even  so.  Thinkest  thou  I  can  remain  here  till 
darkness  covers  the  land?  What  has  detained  thee?  " 

"  I  have  been  waiting  and  searching  for  Amne.  And 
—  and  —  I  cannot  find  her." 

Hilwe  spoke  anxiously. 

"She's  old  enough  to  take  care  of  herself, 
cannot  delay  for  her.  Let  us  go,  at  once." 
Kadra  half  pushed  Hilwe  before  her. 

"Thou  hast  sold  thy  flowers,  I  see,"  said  Kadra,  as 
they  followed  the  other  woman,  and  passed  through  the 
Jaffa  Gate. 

"  Yea.     See  this. " 

Hilwe  exhibited  a  handful  of  coins. 

"Thou  hast  done  well.  That  will  please  Fatima; 
and  she  will  let  thee  go  and  gather  the  blooms  another 
day;  and  that  will  please  thee.  Ah!  do  I  not  know 
the  pride  of  thine  heart?" 

A  faint  passing  smile  was  Hilwe' s  response. 

"  I  wish  that  I  had  found  Amne,  and  that  she  were 
with  us,"  she  said.  "  I  fear  evil  has  befallen  her." 

But  her  companions  heeded  her  not.  They  had  over 
taken  the  other  women,  and  all  were  talking  of  the 
native  regiment,  raised  in  the  neighbourhood,  which 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  219 

was  soon  to  return  and  be  disbanded,  its  time  of  ser 
vice  having  expired. 

"  I  shall  have  my  husband  back,"  said  one. 

"And  I  the  son  of  my  strength,"  said  another. 

Thus  the  wretched  creatures  boasted. 

There  is  no  place  so  low,  so  degraded,  but  pride  and 
envy  find  entrance  there,  or  even  some  feeble  ray  of 
happiness  or  hope  may  reach  it. 


CHAPTER   XIX 

BUT  where  was  Amne ? 
When  she  and  Hilwe  had  taken  their  positions 
under  the  arched  way,  at  the  entrance  to  Christian 
Street,  the  rarity  and  beauty  of  the  early  blossoms 
heaped  high  in  their  open  baskets  had  drawn  to  them 
many  a  passer-by,  and  not  a  few  customers. 

Amne,  knowing  her  flowers  were  inferior  to  those  of 
Hilwe,  with  worldly  wisdom  had  said  to  her  companion, 
"  Let  yours  remain  covered  up  till  mine  be  sold. " 
But  Hilwe  could  not  do  this. 

The  pilgrims  on  their  way  to  the  Holy  Sepulchre 
and  the  Latin  and  Greek  monks  and  clergy  were  liberal 
purchasers;  and  the  marble  shrine  covering  the  sup 
posed  tomb  of  the  Crucified,  lighted  with  silver  ever 
burning  lamps,  presents  from  emperors  and  kings,  for 
the  first  time  that  season  was  adorned  with  the  pure 
narcissus  —  the  flower  to  which  he  had  been  compared 
—  his  own  flower — the  Rose  of  Sharon. 

They  were  the  blossoms  which  Hilwe  and  Hassan 
had  gathered.  But  let  no  one  despise  them  on  that 
account.  Think  of  the  box  of  spikenard,  very  precious, 
and  Mary  Magdalene.  Were  he,  the  All-merciful, 
walking  the  earth  to-day,  he  would  not  have  refused 
these  blooms.  And  if  sinful  hands  had  touched  them, 
be  it  remembered  that,  as  compared  with  him,  all 
hands  and  hearts  are  unclean  and  sinful.  The  daz 
zling  light  of  the  petals,  pure  as  the  snow,  shone  un- 


220  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

blemished,  immaculate,  amid  the  royal  and  imperial 
gifts,  the  fairest  of  all.  And  the  free  natural  breath  of 
the  flowers  ascended  up  on  high,  a  more  acceptable 
and  a  sweeter-smelling  sacrifice  than  the  perfume-clouds 
of  most  costly  incense  from  the  censers  swung  by  the 
handsome  dark-eyed  and  long-haired  young  acolytes  of 
the  Greek  Church,  who  were  forever  bowing  themselves 
very  low,  and  crossing  themselves  from  right  to  left, 
with  the  left  hand,  instead  of  from  left  to  right  with 
the  right  hand,  as  do  the  Latins  or  Roman  Catholics. 

"Anything,  so  as  to  be  different  from  us,"  say  the 
Latins  contemptuously. 

Ah,  how  much  we  make  our  salvation  depend  on 
such  things !  How  we  still  keep  paying  tithes  of  the 
mint,  anise  and  cummin,  and  omit  the  weightier  mat 
ters  of  the  law,  judgment,  mercy,  and  faith,  —  cleansing 
the  outside  of  the  cup  and  platter,  when  He  said,  "  My 
son,  give  me  thine  heart !  " 

And  so  the  Latin  and  Greek  monks  and  ecclesiastics 
swept  by,  and  were  followed  by  those  of  the  Syrian, 
Armenian,  Coptic  and  Abyssinian  churches.  They 
wore  their  peculiar  vestments,  those  of  the  Oriental 
churches  having  high  conspicuous  headdresses.  Each 
body  had  a  special  hour  of  worship  allotted  to  it  in  the 
Church  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  so  that  there  might  be 
no  conflict.  For,  as  is  but  too  well  known,  among  all 
these  Christian  churches  the  most  burning  hates  and 
jealousies  prevail,  and  quarrels  and  fights  have  occurred 
from  time  to  time  between  them,  especially  between 
those  of  the  Greek  and  Latin  churches,  not  seldom 
ending  in  bloodshed  and  even  murder.  Truly  there 
is  no  hate  like  religious  hate.  It  is  the  hate  of  the 
soul ;  and  the  conscience  of  the  man  is  made  to  stand 
sponsor  for  it. 

But  it  is  within  the  great  basilica,  at  its  very 
entrance,  that  the  monstrous  reproach  exists.  Imme 
diately  inside  the  portal,  on  the  left,  is  a  divan-like 
recess  spread  with  mats,  at  a  considerable  height  above 
the  floor;  and  here,  seated  cross-legged,  are  two  or 
more  Moslems,  sheiks  of  the  Mosque  of  Omar,  the 
official  wardens  of  this  Christian  sanctuary  —  this 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  221 

cathedral  of  cathedrals,  originally  built  by  Constan 
tino  the  Great,  on  the  discovery  of  the  supposed  Cross 
and  Holy  Sepulchre  by  his  mother  the  Empress 
Helena. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  imagine  the  feelings  with  which 
these  sedate  Islamites,  steeped  in  fatalistic  equanimity, 
look  down  upon  the  successive  performances  taking 
place  around  them,  and  view  the  petty  jealousies  and 
quarrels  of  the  different  sectarians  who  come  here  to 
worship.  These  sheiks  are  the  guardians  of  the  keys, 
the  custody  of  which,  sad  to  relate,  could  not  be 
intrusted  to  any  of  those  churches.  The  suave,  easy 
going  fellows,  in  their  loose  robes  and  white-turbaned 
tarbooshes,  seem  fully  to  appreciate  the  superiority  of 
their  position  —  keeping  peace  between  the  Christians 
—  holding  the  keys  of  their  most  holy  place,  which 
they  open  each  morning,  and  close  each  night.  There 
is  a  quiet  sarcasm  in  their  attitude  which  is  beyond 
the  scope  of  the  fiercest  polemic. 

A  few  members  of  the  Anglican  Church  and  of  the 
Protestant  churches  might  be  seen  within  the  fane;  but 
these  were  chiefly  travellers  who  could  hardly  be 
classed  even  with  the  ordinary  pilgrims;  for  few  if  any 
of  them  permitted  either  their  beliefs  or  their  feelings 
to  carry  them  even  so  far  as  into  the  borderland  of  the 
superstitious.  They  are  lookers-on  rather  than  partic 
ipators  in  the  ceremonies  within  the  venerable  church; 
and,  though  not  without  the  profound  religious  emotions 
stirred  by  the  occasion,  a  feeling  of  sublime  pity  moved 
them  as  they  witnessed  some  of  the  proceedings. 
Where  they  had  any  sympathy,  it  was  rather  with  the 
poor  Russian  pilgrims  of  the  Greek  Church  in  their 
abject  but  evidently  sincere  prostrations,  and  who  are 
in  outward  observances,  the  most  religious  as  well  as 
the  most  ignorant  and  superstitious  beings  who  visit 
the  holy  places. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this,  Hilwe's  flowers  were  natural 
and  beautiful  things,  full  of  all  that  is  acceptable  and 
lovely.  How  could  it  be  otherwise? 

As  the  Mohammedan  hour  of  prayer  —  the  duhr,  or 
noon-prayer  —  drew  near,  the  stream  of  humanity 


222  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

which  swept  through  David  Street,  past  Hilwe  and 
Amne,  had  risen  to  the  flood,  for  it  happened  to  be 
Friday,  the  market  day,  as  well  as  the  Moslem  holy 
day  or  Sabbath,  and  the  merchants  and  dealers  and  arti 
sans  of  that  faith  had  closed  their  shops,  and  began  to 
take  their  way  to  the  Mosque  of  Omar.  The  narrow 
street,  in  its  dusky  windings,  was  like  a  river  swollen 
to  the  banks,  sending  off  a  branch  at  Christian  Street, 
which  did  not  seem  greatly  to  relieve  the  pressure. 

There  are  three  Sabbaths  every  week  in  Jerusalem. 
In  consequence  there  is  none.  Traffic  and  business 
go  on  every  day,  with  no  very  apparent  differ 
ence. 

Friday  is  the  Mohammedan  holy  day,  and  the  True 
Believer  closes  his  place  of  business  for  a  short  time 
in  the  forenoon,  or  at  noon,  while  he  visits  the  mosque 
for  prayer,  always  performing  his  ablutions  at  one  of 
the  tanks  within  the  great  Temple  Enclosure.  Return 
ing  from  prayer,  he  reopens ;  and  all  through  the  after 
noon,  is  as  fully  occupied  with  his  trade  or  traffic  as 
on  any  other  day  in  the  week.  Saturday  is  kept  by 
the  Jews  only,  who  desist  from  all  work,  in  some  cases 
to  the  most  ridiculously  minute  particulars,  on  that 
day.  Sunday  is  observed  as  usual  by  the  Christians. 
But  from  one  year's  end  to  another,  the  ancient  city 
never  sees  a  total  cessation  of  work  and  business,  as 
there  is  always  sufficient  of  non-believers  in  the  holy 
day,  whichever  it  may  be,  to  keep  up  a  volume  of 
activity,  and  destroy  all  appearance  of  Sabbath  and  of 
rest. 

As  the  Moslems  passed  the  young  girls  with  their 
open  baskets  overflowing  with  the  flowers  whose  aroma 
those  smooth,  self-indulgent  sons  of  Islam  particularly 
love,  they  did  not  fail  to  stop,  and  to  remind  one 
another  of  the  words  of  their  prophet,  and  how  Moham 
med  had  said :  "  He  that  hath  two  cakes  of  bread,  let 
him  sell  one  of  them,  and  buy  some  flowers  of  the 
narcissus ;  for  bread  is  food  for  the  body,  but  the  nar 
cissus  is  food  for  the  soul." 

"  Didst  thou  hear  what  those  pious  men  say,  Hilwe  ?  " 
asked  Amne.  "  They  speak  the  words  of  our  prophet 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  223 

(God  favour  and  preserve  him !)     I  doubt  not  they  are 
out  of  the  most  excellent  book  which  he  wrote." 

"Yea;  I  heard  their  words.  They  are  sweet  and 
comfortable. " 

"  I  would  rather  sell  one  flower  to  the  Faithful  than 
ten  to  another." 

While  they  spoke,  two  strangers,  a  dignitary  of  the 
Church  of  England  with  his  daughter  hanging  on  his 
arm,  drew  near.  They  at  once  seized  the  attention 
of  the  girls. 

"How  much  he  loves  her!"  said  Hilwe. 

"  And  how  he  lets  her  cling  to  him,  and  what  care  he 
takes  of  her !  "  added  Amne.  "  Truly  those  Giaours 
have  strange  ways." 

"  These  are  asphodels,  are  they  not  ? "  said  the 
daughter,  taking  up  a  shaft  of  the  flowers. 

"Ah,  yes  indeed!" 

It  was  the  asphodel  which  Hilwe  had  kissed  into 
blossoming,  and  which,  out  of  a  tender  pity,  she  had 
brought  with  her,  placing  it  on  top  of  her  basket. 
The  slender  stem  with  its  spear-like  leaves  was  topped 
with  the  pale  purplish-tinted  corollas,  but  one  of 
which  was  expanded,  the  others  still  remaining  partly 
closed,  or  only  buds. 

"How  strangely  beautiful,"  said  the  English  girl. 
"Does  it  not  seem  as  if  there  was  something  myste 
rious,  unearthly  about  it  ?  " 

"Yes,"  replied  her  father.  "It  is  indeed  so.  There 
is  also  a  golden-yellow  species.  And  some  think  the 
name  daffodil  —  another  name  for  narcissus  —  is  derived 
from  the  aphodyle  or  asphodel,  which  was  sacred  to 
Proserpine,  and  was  used  in  classic  times  at  funeral 
ceremonies.  This  is  the  flower  beloved  of  the  gods, 
and  which  is  said  to  bloom  forever  in  the  fields  of 
heaven." 

The  canon's  face  was  all  aglow  with  his  innocent 
enthusiasm.  That  noble  eloquent  face,  it  was  a  per 
petual  sermon  and  a  litany,  and  spoke  in  a  universal 
language  the  story  of  peace  and  love  his  lips  had  so 
often  told.  For  the  lineaments  had  received  that 
spiritual  chiselling  which  left  upon  them  the  divine 


224  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

benediction.     His  name  had  gone  into  all  lands  —  the 
worthy  son  of  the  great  Anglican  Church. 
Presently  his  daughter  heard  him  murmur: 

"  Those  holy  fields, 

Over  whose  acres  walked  those  blessed  feet 
Which  eighteen  hundred  years  ago  were  nailed, 
For  our  advantage,  on  the  bitter  cross." 

Hilwe,  knowing  scarcely  a  word  they  said,  still 
sufficiently  understood  their  admiration.  She  caught 
up  one  of  the  finest  bunches  of  the  narcissus,  and  held 
it  beside  the  asphodel. 

"But  here  we  have  the  Rose  of  Sharon,"  exclaimed 
the  canon. 

"It  is  precious,  indeed,"  said  his  daughter,  kissing 
the  flowers  with  a  feeling  of  reverence,  as  she  took 
them  from  Hilwe  and  pressed  a  piece  of  silver  into  her 
palm. 

In  turn,  Hilwe  bent  and  (oh,  how  gracefully!) 
kissed  the  lady's  hand,  and  then  prepared  to  make 
change. 

"No,  no;  keep  it,"  said  the  young  English  girl. 
"They  are  worth  far  more  than  that  to  me,  when  I 
think  of  the  dear  Lord  walking  over  the  ground  where 
they  have  grown." 

She  did  not  know  all  they  were  worth  to  Hilwe  — 
what  they  had  cost  her. 

Seeing  the  change  had  been  refused,  Hilwe  insisted 
on  adding  more  of  the  flowers. 

"They  make  one  think  of  the  descriptions  in  the 
poets  —  of  the  celestial  meadows  filled  with  these  beau 
tiful  blossoms,  where  the  souls  of  the  departed  bliss 
fully  wander,"  said  the  canon,  with  a  sigh,  and  in  a 
dreamy  reminiscent  undertone. 

Why  do  even  the  best  men  always  sigh  when  they 
speak  of  Heaven? 

The  daughter  of  Britain  lingered,  greatly  interested 
in  her  Palestine  sisters,  fully  as  much  so  as  they  were 
in  her. 

"What  beautiful  young  creatures,"  she  said,  turning 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  225 

to  her  father,  "  so  natural  and  unspoiled !     What  glori 
ous  eyes  they  have !  " 

"  I  fear,  my  love,  you  have  not  been  duly  warned  of 
the  'evil  eye,'  and  its  potent  influence  in  this  land," 
was  his  smiling  remark. 

"No.  Nor  do  I,  in  the. least,  fear  it.  I  should  like 
to  speak  to  them — to  know  more  about  them." 

"  Ah,  there  it  is !  Perhaps  it  is  already  working  its 
spell  upon  you." 

A  womanly  impulse  suddenly  seized  her.  She  leaned 
forward,  and  gently  laid  her  hand  on  Hilwe's  little 
weather-browned  paw. 

"Where  did  you  get  your  beautiful  flowers?"  she 
asked.  "  Where  do  you  come  from  ?  And  what  is 
your  name? " 

She  spoke,  without  thinking  that  the  girls  under 
stood  scarcely  a  word  she  had  uttered. 

"My  dear,  they  do  not  understand  you,"  explained 
her  father. 

"They  come  from  Malha,"  said  a  clear  full  voice,  in 
English,  with  a  slight  foreign  accent. 

The  canon  and  his  daughter  turned  to  see  the 
speaker. 

A  young  man,  a  zaptieh,  who  had  come  up  without 
cheir  observing  it,  stood  close  behind  them ;  and  he  it 
was  who  had  volunteered  the  information. 

From  his  uniform  they  at  once  saw  he  was  an  officer. 
It  may  be  added  that  he  was  a  distant  relative  of  a  high 
official,  had  been  educated  abroad,  and  had  spent  some 
time  in  both  London  and  Paris.  Indeed,  the  latter 
voluptuous  city  had  left  her  mark  upon  him  most  dis 
tinctly.  Tall  and  straight-limbed,  the  dark-blue  uni 
form,  turned  up  with  scarlet,  enriched  with  braid, 
and  fitting  him  to  perfection,  set  off  his  figure  to  the 
greatest  advantage.  He  was  on  his  way  to  the  mosque, 
and  had  given  his  horse,  a  fine,  blooded  animal,  to  his 
servant,  who  was  leading  it  away,  as  it  was  unpleasant 
to  descend  on  horseback  the  steps  at  this  part  of  the 
street. 

The  young  officer,  standing  erect,  drawn  up  to  his 
full  height,  his  left  hand  lightly  resting  on  his  sword- 
is 


226  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

hilt,  presented  an  uncommonly  fine  appearance,  as  he 
met  the  gaze  of  the  aristocratic  Englishman  and  his 
daughter,  and  saluted  them  in  military  style.  He 
excused  his  interest  very  neatly,  and  politely  offered 
to  interpret. 

Of  course,  they  could  only  thank  him  and  accept. 

They  noticed  his  rather  clear  complexion,  the  warm 
rich  color  showing  through.  But  they  did  not  know 
that  though  his  father  was  a  Turco-Syrian,  his  mother 
was  partly  of  European  blood,  and  that  this  high- 
mettled,  well-built  zaptieh,  in  all  his  becoming  mili 
tary  trappings,  was  the  product  of  one  of  those  peculiar 
mysteries  of  the  harem  which  are  not  infrequent  in  the 
dominions  of  His  Imperial  Majesty  the  Sultan. 

As  for  the  young  officer,  there  was  not  the  slightest 
doubt  that  he  was  well  aware  of  the  attractiveness  of 
his  person.  But  he  was  far  too  clever  to  permit  any 
evidence  of  this  to  betray  him.  The  gentle,  innocent 
manner  he  affected,  as  if  utterly  unconsciousness  of  his 
good  looks,  was  his  greatest  fascination. 

There  are  few  things  which  an  Oriental  values  more 
than  to  be  accepted  on  an  equal  footing  and  received 
into  intimate  relations  by  the  Frank  or  European  of 
distinction  or  high  position.  He  will  do  much  to 
bring  this  about,  and  seldom  permits  an  opportunity 
of  the  kind  to  escape  him.  But,  if  possible,  it  must 
come  to  pass  naturally,  without  the  appearance  of  anx 
iety  or  intention  —  of  being  sought  on  his  part. 

He  had  heard  the  English  girl's  reference  to  the 
glorious  eyes  of  the  peasant  girl,  and  he  remembered 
that  he  himself  was  possessed  of  as  glorious  orbs,  which 
he  could  use  far  more  effectively,  and  with  greater 
potency,  in  that  he  was  a  man.  His  blood  tingled 
warmly,  and  he  was  feeling  at  his  best,  and  looking 
his  best,  as  he  knew  the  gaze  of  the  highborn  young 
lady  rested  upon  him.  It  was  the  stimulus  he  luxu 
riated  in. 

Stepping  nearer  to  Hilwe,  he  commenced  interro 
gating  her. 

"What  is  thy  name?"  he  asked,  in  Arabic.  "The 
lady  wishes  to  know." 


Hassan :  a  Fellah 


227 


"Hilwe." 

"And  what  does  that  mean?"  inquired  the  fair 
stranger.  "  All  their  names  have  a  meaning,  have 
they  not  ? " 

"Yes.     Hilwe  means  '  sweet. '' 

"  What  a  pretty  name  !    And,  I  'm  sure,  appropriate. " 

The  gallant  aga,  or  captain  of  zaptiehs  turned  and 
smiled  significantly. 

"She  wants  to  know  your  name,"  he  explained,  after 
a  low  murmur  from  Hilwe. 

"It  is  Mary  —  Mary  Stanhope." 

"Mariam,"  he  translated  it  in  giving  it  to  Hilwe  — 
"  Sitti  Mariam  —  Lady  Mary.  That  is  the  name  of  the 
Virgin,"  he  remarked. 

Strange  to  say,  the  Moslems  revere  the  Blessed 
Virgin  as  the  mother  of  the  Prophet  Jesus,  and  send 
tapers  to  burn  at  her  tomb  in  Jerusalem,  on  her  festival 
days. 

Hilwe  smilingly  made  reply. 

"  She  says  she  will  remember  your  name,  and  bring 
you  more  flowers  when  next  she  comes. " 

"Thank  her.  Do  they  have  to  bring  them  far?  It 
must  be  weary  for  them." 

On  this  being  conveyed  to  them,  both  the  Malha 
girls  threw  back  their  heads,  and  made  a  peculiar 
clicking  sound  with  their  tongues  as  they  exclaimed 
"  La,  la  !  —  No,  no !  "  with  a  continuation  of  less  intel 
ligible  rejoinder. 

"They  say  it  is  such  a  pleasure  carrying  so  beautiful 
a  burden,  they  would  not  care  if  the  distance  were 
twice  as  great !  " 

"  How  Oriental !  "  said  Miss  Stanhope. 

"They  live  at  Malha,"  pursued  the  captain  —  "a 
village  on  the  top  of  a  high  tell  beyond  the  Valley  of 
Roses." 

Miss  Stanhope  had  drawn  her  notebook  from  her 
pocket,  and  was  making  some  entries. 

"And  Hilwe's  companion!"  she  said.  "  I  fear  she 
will  feel  neglected.  I  have  not  learned  her  name." 

The  agreeable  young  zaptieh  quickly  remedied  this. 

"  Her  name  is  Amne,"  he  said. 


228  Hassan  i  a  Fellah 

"  And  that  means  —  ?  " 

"Believer." 

"And  how  old  are  they? " 

The  question  was  duly  put,  and  promptly  though 
unsatisfactorily  answered. 

"They  say,  '  Allah  knows." 

The  most  elegant  of  zaptiehs  could  scarcely  keep  his 
countenance  as  he  conveyed  this  reply,  which  is  the 
common  one  throughout  Palestine  to  any  inquiry  into 
age.  But  he  managed  to  explain  that  there  is  a  super 
stitious  dislike  to  giving  such  information.  It  is 
enough  for  them  that  God  knows  their  ages. 

Besides  the  strong  feeling  that  it  is  sacrilegious  to 
pry  into  such  things,  there  is  also  probably  a  dense 
ignorance  and  neglect  in  this  direction.  It  is  a  land 
in  which  statistics  of  any  kind  are  looked  upon  with 
horror  —  the  keeping  of  them,  or  inquiring  into  them 
as  acts  of  impiety,  liable  to  the  calling  down  of  divine 
wrath. 

The  feeling,  doubtless,  is  of  long  standing.  Remem 
ber  the  numbering  of  the  people  by  David,  and  the 
pestilence  visited  in  consequence. 

Miss  Stanhope  kept  her  notebook  open,  puzzled  what 
to  do,  and  half-inclined  to  enter  the  answer  the  girls 
had  made,  recognising  it  contained,  after  all,  some 
thing  beautiful  and  awe-inspiring. 

"Allah  knows." 

Yes ;  she  entered  the  very  words. 

"Perhaps  I  can  make  out  their  ages  for  you,"  said 
the  zaptieh,  anxious  to  please. 

He  looked  at  the  girls  very  steadily,  with  the  critical 
eye  of  the  Osmanli,  skilled  in  the  business,  as  though 
noting  and  counting  the  marks  and  especially  the 
beauty  points  that  every  year,  since  they  were  born,  had 
made  upon  them. 

"They  are  marriageable,"  he  said,  "and  cannot  be 
far  from  sixteen  years. " 

But  Miss  Stanhope  let  her  original  entry  stand. 

"And  my  name, "  he  added,  "is  Kiamil  —  Perfect. 
What  a  name  to  give  a  man ! " 

"  I  trust  you  try  to  live  up  to  it,"  said  the  canon,  sen- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  229 

tentiously,  and  with  the  ecclesiastical  love  of  giving 
advice. 

"  Oh  yes,  of  course  !  " 

This  was  said  with  an  expression  of  eyes  and 
mouth  unutterable  in  words,  but  startling  to  the  relig 
ious  mind.  Doubtless,  in  his  unbounded  self-admira 
tion,  the  aga  considered  his  handsome  body  a  complete 
exponent  of  his  name,  and  a  sufficient  and  standing 
reply  to  the  Englishman. 

"  My  dear,"  said  the  canon,  addressing  his  daughter, 
"  is  it  not  time  we  were  returning  to  our  hotel  ?  I  fear 
we  shall  be  late  for  luncheon." 

Fastening  her  flowers  in  her  belt,  and  gathering  up 
her  drapery,  she  prepared  to  leave,  saying  good-bye  to 
the  girls. 

"I  am  sure,"  said  the  canon,  taking  the  captain's 
hand  with  the  formal  regulation  politeness  of  his  place 
and  station,  "we  are  greatly  indebted  to  you  for  your 
attention  and  kindness.  Thank  you  very  much.  Good 
day. " 

These  words  addressed  to  the  well-set-up  zaptieh, 
who  had  already  taken  position  for  an  incomparable 
salute,  were  faintly  echoed  by  Miss  Stanhope.  He 
raised  his  hand,  small  and  delicate  as  a  lady's,  to  his 
fez.  Farewell  salutes  in  high  style  were  made  on  both 
sides,  and  they  parted. 

For  a  few  moments  the  undaunted  self-confident 
officer  stood  gazing  after  the  retreating  figures  of  the 
Anglican  ecclesiastic  and  his  charming  daughter,  and 
then  turned  to  recompense  himself  with  the  damsels 
from  Mai  ha. 

He  had  soon  descended  to  a  very  different  style  of 
conversation  with  them  from  that  he  had  conducted  for 
Miss  Stanhope.  His  equivocal,  or,  rather,  to  put  it 
less  mildly,  most  questionable,  attentions  were  chiefly 
addressed  to  Hilwe,  whose  beauty  had  smitten  him 
desperately,  but  they  also  included  Amne. 

The  former  at  first  continued  to  answer  his  ques 
tions  with  the  respect  she  considered  due  his  position, 
and  with  the  homage  which  all  women  in  the  East  pay 
to  men;  but  as  he  went  further,  her  eyes  were  cast 


230  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

down,  her  eyelids  lowered,  and  she  was  silent.  Not 
so  with  Amne,  who  enjoyed  the  opportunity,  and  was 
wayward  enough  to  answer  him  "according  to  his 
folly." 

Though  the  zaptiehs  are  mounted  gendarmes  or 
guards,  who  have  little  or  nothing  to  do  with  municipal 
affairs,  but  whose  duties  extend  to  the  outlying  country, 
including  certain  of  the  adjacent  towns  and  villages,  he 
had  not  hesitated  to  take  advantage  of  his  official  rank 
and  the  ignorance  of  the  girls  to  impress  them  with  his 
authority,  and  dazzle  them  with  his  superb  personality. 
No  one  can  surpass  the  Osmanli  in  the  seductive 
arena;  and  this  man's  residence  in  the  gay  French  capi 
tal  had  flavoured  and  qualified  rather  than  corrected  the 
trait. 

The  zaptiehs  have  an  ill  name ;  perhaps  not  unde 
servedly.  It  has  been  said  that,  of  all  the  Turkish  officials, 
they  are  the  worst,  oppressing  with  the  most  perfect 
impartiality  both  Moslems  and  Christians.  The  majority 
of  them  have  the  evil  or  sensual  features  that  the  deeds 
ascribed  to  them  would  imply ;  yet  many  of  them  are 
handsome  finely-formed  men ;  and,  almost  without  ex 
ception,  they  are  skilled  horsemen  with  the  graceful  and 
confident  bearing  the  manly  exercise  is  apt  to  develop. 

What  would  have  been  the  outcome  of  the  captain  of 
zaptiehs'  insinuating  gallantry,  had  it  been  left  undis 
turbed,  it  is  impossible  to  say.  In  the  midst  of  his  most 
ardent  demonstrations,  a  hand  was  laid  on  his  shoulder. 
A  brother  officer  had  come  up  stealthily  behind  him,  in 
the  press  of  the  crowd. 

"  Ah,  Kiamil,  I  see  thou  art  at  thine  old  business  !  "  he 
said,  in  Turkish. 

"  Even  so,"  returned  the  other,  unabashed. 

"  Come,  come,  didst  thou  not  hear  the  azan  —  an 
nouncement  (call  to  prayer)  ?  The  muezzin  cried  it 
some  time  ago.  I  was  detained.  We  shall  be  late  at  the 
mosque." 

The  speaker,  whose  face  showed  the  more  repellent 
Turkish  characteristics,  including  the  sinister  hooked 
nose,  evidently  was  one  on  whom  the  observances  of  his 
religion  had  still  a  strong  hold,  and  who  had  a  decided 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  231 

influence  over  the  man  he  addressed,  though  this  did 
not  prevent  his  making  a  gallant  speech  to  the  damsels 
on  his  own  account.  They  treated  the  peasant  girls  with 
a  familiarity  they  would  not  have  dared  to  display  to 
wards  women  of  their  own  class,  whom,  indeed,  they 
would  not  be  allowed  to  see. 

The  voice  of  the  new-comer  was  an  imperative  voice, 
and,  coming  to  Kiamil  in  the  name  of  the  religion,  was 
not  to  be  trifled  with.  The  weaker  will  gave  way,  though 
reluctantly. 

As  he  was  carried  off  by  his  determined  friend,  whose 
wickedly  ugly  face  was  a  reproach  to  his  fine  soldierly 
figure,  the  gay  captain  turned  to  the  girls  and  said  signifi 
cantly,  "  I  shall  return  shortly." 

The  girls  watched  with  wondering,  appreciative  glances 
the  attractive  forms  of  the  two  young  officers  in  their  fine 
uniforms,  to  them  beyond  ordinary  men,  as  those  sons  of 
thunder  —  rightfully  or  wrongfully  charged  with  scourg 
ing  the  country  —  strode  off,  side  by  side,  down  the  street 
of  steps,  in  martial  splendour,  the  rowels  of  their  spurs 
gingling,  their  swords  clanging  on  the  pavement,  their 
well-drilled  legs  moving  with  rhythmic  regularity  —  a 
glorious  vision,  dear  to  the  feminine  heart,  one  to  admire 
and  love  ;  they  watched  them  with  undiminished  fascina 
tion  till  the  delectable  sight  vanished,  lost  in  the  crowd 
of  less  interesting  spectacles. 

In  this,  perhaps,  the  Malha  girls  were  not  so  very 
different  from  their  more  cultured  sisters  of  other  lands. 

Across  the  way,  a  young  man,  standing  on  a  block  of 
stone,  in  order  to  get  the  better  advantage,  had  been  a 
close  observer  of  all  that  had  taken  place  between  the 
zaptiehs  and  the  girls.  He  waited  till  the  former  had 
disappeared  from  view,  leaving  the  coast  clear.  Then 
he  cautiously  approached,  with  a  jasmine  blossom  held 
between  his  lips,  a  not  ungraceful  custom. 

"Look;  there  is  Selim,"  said  Amne,  nudging  Hilwe. 
"  He  is  coming  here." 

It  was  the  wily  servitor  of  Anselmo  Jacobini,  now 
attached  more  closely  to  his  nephew  Leone,  to  whom  the 
old  man  had  relinquished  him. 

"  Who  is  he?     I  like  not  his  looks,"  said  Hilwe. 


23 2  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

She  remembered  the  warnings  of  Hassan  and  was  more 
cautious  on  that  account. 

"  Nay.  He  means  well.  He  pays  generously,  and  is 
a  good  customer,  every  one  says.  But  here  he  is." 

"  I  count  myself  fortunate,"  said  Selim,  "  to  have  come 
before  all  the  flowers  have  been  sold." 

He  looked  into  the  baskets,  and  examined  the  simply- 
knotted  bunches  of  the  narcissus,  which  one  might  call 
nosegays,  but  could  hardly  consider  bouquets.  He  then 
stooped  and  whispered  something  in  Amne's  ear,  his  eyes, 
all  the  time,  being  fastened  on  Hilwe. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  he  replied,  in  answer  to  a  question  from 
Amne.  "  Come  with  me.  Bring  your  flowers.  I  know 
one  who  will  buy  all  you  have  left,  and  give  you  a  hand 
some  price." 

In  reply,  Hilwe  gathered  together  some  of  the  best 
bunches,  and  offered  them  to  him. 

But  this  did  not  suit  his  purpose. 

Again  he  stooped  and  said  something  aside  to  Amne, 
speaking  very  earnestly  and  with  emphatic  gestures. 

"Naam,  naam  —  Yes,  yes,"  she  replied,  nodding,  with 
a  pleased  expression. 

"And  be  sure  to  bring  your  companion,"  he  added 
eagerly. 

"  Hilwe,  he  says  the  man  of  the  house  will  give  us  at 
least  a  medjidie  apiece  for  what  we  have  left.  Think 
of  that.  And  you  have  n't  half  as  many  left  as  I 
have." 

While  they  argued  as  to  whether  they  should  go,  an 
old  woman  from  one  of  the  villages  drew  near,  and,  with 
the  curiosity  of  the  native,  stopped  to  listen.  She  had 
brought  in  water  from  Ain  Karim,  and  the  black  goat 
skin  containing  it  was  strapped  to  her  back.  She  was 
bending  under  the  burden.  But  that  was  nothing  new 

O  ° 

to  her.  There  were  families  in  Jerusalem  which  she  had 
supplied  with  the  water  from  St.  John's  birthplace  for 
many  years  —  since  she  was  a  young  girl.  She  had  been 
a  hewer  of  wood  and  drawer  of  water  all  her  life.  The 
question  was  referred  to  her  out  of  respect  and  habit. 

Selim  saw  his  opportunity  to  whisper  a  few  words  to 
her,  and  to  drop  a  small  coin  into  her  hand. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  233 

"  Yea,  go  with  the  man,"  she  said  plausibly.  "  He 
will  do  what  is  right ;  and  he  offers  a.  generous  price." 

This  was  sufficient.  Both  the  girls  arose,  and,  taking 
their  baskets,  followed  Selim. 

He  led  them  through  many  narrow  and  crooked  by 
streets,  and  up  slippery  ascents,  and  under  dark  and 
damp  archways,  —  at  last,  when  they  began  to  think  the 
way  would  never  end,  emerging  at  the  house  of 
Jacobini. 

Hilwe  somewhat  dazed  and  bewildered  by  the  confus 
ing  incidents  which  had  befallen  her,  followed  the  lead 
of  Selim  and  Amne  without  much  consideration.  She 
at  first  was  gladdened  by  the  thought  of  disposing  of  the 
remainder  of  her  flowers,  and  at  so  good  a  price,  and  so 
early  in  the  day.  But  the  tortuous  way,  and  something 
in  the  too  easy  and  familiar  manner  of  Selim,  as  he  swag 
gered  before  them,  the  jasmine  bloom  jauntily  held 
between  his  lips,  he  casting,  from  time  to  time,  a 
backward  leer  to  see  that  they  followed,  awoke  her 
alarm. 

Selim  did  not  take  them  to  the  main  entrance,  but 
stopped  at  a  side  door  in  the  adjoining  wall,  which 
opened  into  a  small  courtyard,  in  the  rear  of  which  was 
a  semi-detached  building  containing  the  apartments 
which  Jacobini  had  sumptuously  fitted  up  for  Leone's 
special  use. 

A  pepper-tree  on  the  right,  with  its  fern-like  foliage 
all  of  a  tremble,  partly  drooped  over  the  wall,  and  as 
Selim  drew  a  key  from  his  pocket,  and  unlocked  and 
flung  open  the  door,  there  were  revealed  a  few  oleanders, 
pomegranates  and  roses  in  the  centre  of  the  plat,  and  a 
trellis  which  was  covered  with  jasmine  and  a  passion 
flower.  The  inclosure  was  one  of  those  bits  of  greenery 
—  those  pleasant  revelations  which  occasionally,  but  far 
too  infrequently,  burst  on  the  depressed  and  unexpectant 
vision  in  the  ancient  and  mouldering  city. 

There  was  an  old  tradition  regarding  the  house,  which 
mysteriously  and  with  tragic  accompaniments  related 
that,  many  and  long  years  ago,  it  had  been  the  property 
of  a  wealthy  Turk,  and  that  the  partly  disconnected 
wing,  assigned  to  Leone,  had  been  the  seraglio  contain- 


234  Hassan  :   a  Fellah 

ing  the  harem  of  the  true  believer.  There  was  more 
than  one  indication  which  would  go  to  confirm  this. 

Selim,  stepping  inside,  held  the  door  open,  and  beck 
oned  to  the  girls  to  enter.  But  both  of  them,  looking 
at  one  another  inquiringly,  hesitated  and  drew  back. 

"  Come  in,"  he  said  airily.  "  The  good-man  of  the 
house  is  within.  He  will  abundantly  reward  you  for  the 
flowers." 

He  rolled  his  eyes  languishingly  on  the  girls. 

Thus  urged,  Amne  turned  to  Hilwe. 

"Let  us  go  in,  Hilwe.     Come." 

As  she  spoke,  Amne  passed  inside  the  door ;  but 
Hilwe  did  not  follow. 

"Tell  her  to  come,"  said  Selim.  "Why  does  she 
delay?" 

In  his  agitation  and  eagerness  he  twisted  the  fragrant 
jasmine  between  his  teeth,  and  then,  taking  it  in  his 
fingers,  unconsciously  began  pulling  the  milk-white 
petals  in  pieces. 

It  was  one  of  those  made-up  blossoms  of  which  the 
Oriental  is  so  fond,  flower  being  set  within  flower,  re 
peatedly,  till  the  entire  resembles  an  elongated  double 
or  composite  bloom.  While  his  dark  penetrating  eyes 
were  earnestly  fixed  on  Hilwe,  he  tore  the  perfumed 
thing  of  beauty  into  shreds. 

"  Come,  Hilwe,"  begged  Amne. 

"  Come,"  he  repeated,  softly  adding  his  solicitation. 

But  another  voice  sounded  in  Hilwe's  ears.  She 
heard  the  warning  words  of  Hassan  as  they  told  her  of 
the  evil  of  the  city,  and  that  the  holy  places  were  the 
wicked  places. 

"  Entreat  me  not,"  she  said.     "  I  cannot  come." 

She  stepped  back  several  paces,  and,  while  she  did 
so,  implored  Amne  to  accompany  her. 

This  was  more  than  Selim  could  endure.  His  deli 
cately  polite  demeanour  vanished.  Provoked  at  being 
thwarted  upon  the  very  threshold  of  success,  he  rushed 
from  his  place,  and  caught  the  reluctant  girl  by  the  arm, 
to  compel  her  to  come  in.  But  before  he  had  well 
taken  hold,  Hilwe,  now  thoroughly  alarmed,  broke  away 
from  him  and  fled. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  235 

Away,  away  she  flew,  as  if  she  was  a  bird  of  the 
mountain ;  nor  did  she  wait  to  think  whither  her  swift 
feet  carried  her. 

At  first  he  tried  to  catch  her ;  but,  seeing  it  was  use 
less,  and  worse  than  folly  where  there  were  so  many  to 
interfere,  he  returned,  closed  the  door,  locking  it  on  the 
inside,  and,  resuming  his  bland  and  fascinating  air, 
ushered  Amne  into  the  house. 

"  She  is  a  fool,"  he  exclaimed,  referring  to  Hilvve. 
"  We  now  shall  see  what  she  has  lost  through  her 
stupidity." 

It  was  only  after  she  had  run  through  several  streets 
and  crooked  lanes  of  many  turnings  that  Hilwe  felt 
secure,  and  was  satisfied  she  had  escaped.  When  she 
paused,  almost  breathless  and  exhausted,  she  found  her 
self  by  a  part  of  the  old  battleme.nted  southerly  wall  of 
the  city,  wondering  how  she  had  come  there. 

Managing  to  climb  up  by  some  broken  steps  into  an 
embrasure,  where  she  could  rest  and  look  out,  she  saw, 
far  below  her,  the  Valley  of  the  Cedron  winding  between 
the  Hill  of  Evil  Counsel  and  the  Mount  of  Offence,  the 
village  of  Siloam  skirting  the  lower  slopes  of  the  latter, 
and  the  Mount  of  Olives  towering  high  to  the  left.  Far 
to  the  right  of  the  dismal  fanatic  Moslem  village,  lay 
isolated  the  loathed  dwellings  of  the  lepers  —  those 
accursed  unfortunates.  Almost  completely  hidden  from 
sight,  in  the  depth  of  the  gorge,  were  the  King's  Gardens, 
only  a  few  of  the  trees  and  nearer  inclosures  being 
visible. 

Recognising  where  she  was,  while  she  recovered 
breath,  she  rearranged  in  her  basket  the  few  bunches 
of  narcissus  which  had  remained  unsold,  and  which  had 
been  sadly  tossed  and  tumbled  in  her  flight.  She  then 
set  out  to  return  to  the  former  position,  at  the  entrance 
to  Christian  Street.  "  It  is  there,"  she  argued,  "  Amne 
will  come  when  she  has  sold  her  flowers." 

Even  could  Hilwe  have  found  the  way  back  to 
Jacobini's  house,  in  search  of  Amne,  she  would  not  have 
dared  to  venture  near  it,  after  her  late  experience.  But 
she  kept  a  constant  watch  for  her  companion,  expecting 
to  see  her  at  every  turn.  And  when  she  had  sold  her 


236  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

last  blossom,  she  made  a  more  definite  search ;  though 
she  found  that,  in  her  confusion,  she  had  lost  all  idea  of 
the  location  of  the  house  in  which  Amne  had  dis 
appeared,  or  the  way  they  had  taken  to  reach  it. 

The  truth  was  that  Selim,  for  reasons  best  known  to 
himself,  had  brought  the  two  girls  by  a  roundabout 
way,  and  through  many  unnecessary  windings. 

It  was  later  than  Hilwe  supposed.  Her  anxiety  had 
made  her  forget  her  promise  to  Kadra  to  return  without 
unnecessary  delay,  and  not  to  wait  till  the  fifth  or  after 
noon  call  to  prayer. 

Suddenly  rang  out  the  azan  of  the  blind  muezzin 
from  the  topmost  balcony  of  the  nearest  minaret,  which 
is  an  ancient  structure  fronting  on  the  Via  Dolorosa. 
As  he  stood  and  cried  his  announcement  to  the  four 
quarters  of  the  earth,  from  that  airy  octagonal  balcony 
with  its  archaic  phallic  ornamentation  in  gross  evidence 
at  every  angle  —  strange  intrusion  of  the  symbol  of  an 
older  worship  —  his  voice  had  that  plaintive  tone  so  often 
heard  in  the  utterance  of  the  blind.  Each  time,  in  clear 
musical  cadence,  sounded  the  opening  words:  "  Allahu 
akbar  !  —  God  is  most  great !  "  while  he  closed  with  the 
invariable  "La  ilaha  ilia  'llah  ! — There  is  no  God  but 
God  !  "  ending  with  the  ascription  to  Mohammed,  in 
long-drawn  finely-accentuated  syllables.  It  is  a  touching 
proof  of  the  humanity  of  the  Moslem  that  the  muezzin 
is  so  often  selected  from  among  the  blind,  who,  alas ! 
are  too  frequent  in  the  land. 

Hilwe  knew  at  once  the  call  was  for  the  prayer  at  the 
'asr,  or  afternoon,  that  is  about  mid-time  between  noon 
and  nightfall,  and,  remembering  the  strict  injunction  of 
Kadra,  hastened  to  join  her,  arriving  none  too  soon,  as 
we  have  seen. 

Once,  on  the  way  homeward,  Hilwe  ventured  to  inter- 
rupt  the  conversation  of  the  women  with  the  expression 
of  her  fears  as  to  Amne ;  but  she  was  silenced  with  the 
reminder  that  Amne  had  friends  and  acquaintances  in 
the  city  with  whom  she  often  stopped,  and  there  was  no 
need  to  trouble  herself  about  her. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  237 


CHAPTER   XX 

.     This  is  the  way." 

As  Selim  showed  Amne  through  the  outer  rooms 
and  into  the  inner  apartment  of  Leone  Spoliate,  great  was 
her  astonishment  at  the  beauty  and  richness  of  the  fur 
nishings.  She  had  never  seen  anything  so  fine,  and, 
in  her  wondering  admiration,  at  first  failed  to  notice  the 
owner  of  it  all,  its  lord  and  master,  the  stately  young 
man  who  stood  amusing  himself  in  a  corner  with  a 
chameleon  —  rather  a  strange  pet,  it  might  be  thought, 
for  one  like  him. 

The  ungainly  reptile  was  a  large  specimen  of  its  kind, 
and,  including  its  tail,  measured  about  a  foot  in  length. 
After  its  peculiarity,  it  had  adapted  its  colour  to  the 
young  count's  coat-sleeve,  to  which  it  clung,  and  was 
now  at  its  very  darkest  hue — a  mixture  of  black  and 
sooty  olive. 

Leone  was  quite  absorbed  in  watching  it  dart  out  its 
cylindrical  extensile  tongue,  several  inches  in  length, 
when  held  within  sufficient  distance  of  a  fly,  which  it 
invariably  hit  and  captured,  aided  by  the  glutinous 
moisture  covering  the  expanded  end  of  that  most  extra 
ordinary  organ,  so  wonderfully  adapted  to  its  purpose. 
The  remarkable  rapidity  with  which  it  used  its  tongue 
was  in  strange  contrast  to  the  slow,  lethargic  character  of 
its  other  movements,  for  which  it  seemed  compensative, 
the  length  of  time  it  took  to  lift  one  of  its  feet  or  turn 
its  head  being  so  curiously  and  methodically  sluggish  as 
to  be  incredible  till  witnessed. 

But  the  most  singular  and  unexpected  action  of  a 
creature  so  apparently  inanimate  was  when  Leone,  who 
greatly  enjoyed  the  exhibition,  held  it  towards  two 
smaller-sized  chameleons  crawling  over  the  lace  curtains 
of  the  nearest  window,  to  whose  whiteness  they  had  duly 
approximated.  Then,  the  pugnacity  of  the  large  chame 
leon  at  once  aroused,  it  became  hideously  enraged,  ele 
vated  its  humped  and  scaly  back,  as  if  to  make  itself 
terrific,  and,  opening  its  mouth  threateningly,  hissed  like 


238  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

a  snake  or  angry  cat,  ready  to  snap  at  the  first  object 
which  presented  itself. 

"  O  you  terror,  how  you  frighten  me  !  "  exclaimed  the 
count,  in  simulated  alarm.  He  then  burst  into  a  laugh. 

There  was  a  boyishness,  a  freshness  in  the  attitude 
and  manner  of  Leone,  as  he  entered  into  the  enjoyment 
of  this,  which  displayed  his  character  in  a  new  light.  It 
was  as  if  bygone  days,  when  he  was  a  mere  lad,  came 
back  and  reincarnated  him  for  the  time,  —  as  if  olden  joys 
and  feelings  returned  and  filled  him,  possessing  him, 
looking  through  his  eyes,  moving  his  limbs,  flooding  his 
veins. 

Most  men  have  a  love  for  pets,  though  they  may  not 
call  them  by  that  name,  and  though  not  always  able  to 
gratify  the  propensity.  Even  sailors,  situated  as  they 
generally  are  under  circumstances  unusually  difficult  for 
carrying  out  the  object,  manage  to  make  and  acquire 
and  keep  a  great  variety  of  pets,  the  classification  includ 
ing  birds,  quadrupeds,  and  reptiles.  Like  the  love  of 
flowers,  it  is  thought  to  indicate  a  kindly  spirit.  I  have 
known  a  Prussian  sailor,  a  handsome,  neat  young  fellow, 
on  board  a  man-of-war,  carry  for  a  long  time  fastened 
to  his  person,  between  his  woollen  shirt  and  his  skin,  one 
of  the  smaller  monkeys.  The  two  seemed  to  become  a 
part  of  each  other. 

With  the  sailor,  and  others  similarly  situated,  this  love 
of  pets  may  be  ascribed  to  the  necessity  of  finding  some 
outlet  for  the  restrained  and  pent-up  affections  of  another 
yet  kindred  nature,  which  thus  find  some  alleviation. 
Yet,  it  may  be  taken  for  granted,  the  boy  survives  in  the 
man  much  oftener  than  is  supposed. 

"  How  strange  that  a  creature  so  lethargic,  inert,  and 
dull,  should  yet  be  so  quick  and  sagacious  in  some  of 
its  movements,  such  as  in  this  darting  of  its  tongue,  its 
sudden  manifestation  of  anger,  and  the  skeptical  way  it 
turns  back  on  me  its  eye,  so  full  of  Pyrrhonic  animus ! 
One  eye  directed  forward,  the  other  backward  !  What 
a  valuable  gift !  What  an  expression,  too  !  See  it ! 
And  then  its  capacity  for  changing  the  colour  of  its  skin 
in  a  few  moments.  A  man  could  not  do  the  like  in  a 
hundred  years,  if  he  could  live  so  long." 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  239 

Leone  had  heard  the  footsteps  behind  him,  and 
addressed  the  words  partly  to  himself,  partly  to  Selim, 
supposing  the  latter  had  entered  the  room  alone. 

"  Signer  Count,"  began  Selim,  to  call  attention,  "  see 
the  flowers  I  have  brought  you." 

"  Ah  !  what  have  we  here?  "  exclaimed  Leone,  drop 
ping  the  chameleon  and  turning,  with  an  altogether  dif 
ferent  kind  of  admiration,  apparently  to  the  flowers,  but 
in  reality  to  Amne. 

"  They  are  the  first  of  the  year,  Signer." 

"  Flowers,  indeed;   I  should  think  so." 

"  Is  n't  she  handsome?  "  asked  Selim,  aside. 

"  Yes." 

This  was  uttered  brusquely,  with  an  impatient  ac 
quiescence,  implying  the  admission  was  altogether 
superfluous. 

"  I  told  her  you  would  give  her  a  good  price  for  the 
flowers  —  perhaps  a  medjidie  —  perhaps  more  than 
that." 

"  Certainly.     They  are  well  worth  it." 

"  Wilt  thou  buy  them  ?  "  Amne  asked  in  Arabic,  which 
Selim  translated. 

"  That  I  will,  fair  damsel." 

Amne  had  begun  displaying  the  flowers  with  a  natural 
grace  which  was  most  becoming  to  her.  She  smiled 
softly,  though  she  understood  very  few  of  the  words 
spoken,  and  scarce  knew  how  to  reply.  But  in  Palestine 
gesture  is  so  much  a  part  of  conversation  that  there  is, 
perhaps,  no  other  country  where  words  may  be  so  easily 
dispensed  with  in  communicating  ideas  as  they  may  be 
here.  She  was  not  slow  to  notice  the  respect  and  def 
erence  paid  by  Selim  to  Leone  —  the  possessor  of  all 
this  grandeur  and  wealth  —  the  fascinating  young  lord, 
upon  whom  she  looked  with  somewhat  of  the  admiration, 
awe,  and  reverence  felt  for  a  superior  being;  and  she 
governed  herself  accordingly. 

On  the  mention  of  money,  Leone  had  plunged  his 
hand  deep  into  his  pockets  in  search  of  purse  or  change. 
But  all  his  rummaging  was  of  no  avail ;  he  had  neither 
with  him. 

"  Never  mind,  Signer,  I  will  see  to  that,  and  make  it 


240  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

all  right,"  said  Selim  assuringly.  "  There  is  no  need  to 
trouble  about  it.  There  is  no  hurry." 

Leone  had  early  fallen  into  the  habit  of  letting  Selim 
act  as  his  steward  and  purser.  His  knowledge  of  the 
language,  and  acquaintance  with  the  habits  and  customs 
of  the  people,  had  naturally  brought  about  this  result. 
And  though  the  craving  for  authority  and  position,  and 
the  love  of  display  and  lavish  expenditure,  so  deeply  em 
bedded  in  the  heart  of  the  Syrian,  occasionally  tempted 
him  to  exceed,  it  was  not  from  any  want  of  affection  for 
his  master,  to  whom  he  had  become  attached  in  no 
slight  degree.  Though  he  loved  his  money,  it  might 
truly  be  said  he  loved  the  master  more.  In  fact,  it  went 
so  far  as  that  he  identified  himself  with  him  to  an  ex 
traordinary  extent,  taking  pleasure  in  his  gratification, 
and  pride  in  his  very  person.  For  the  people  of  Palestine, 
even  in  the  city,  are  a  warm-hearted  people  in  whom  the 
natural  impulses  have  lost  little  of  the  primitive  flavour. 

"  For  your  honour,  sir." 

The  way  in  which  he  would  say  this,  when  de 
tected  in  some  piece  of  extravagance,  was  altogether 
indescribable. 

It  occasionally  took  all  of  Leone's  determination  to 
check  his  worshipper  in  his  unbounded  and  prodigal 
adoration.  And,  it  must  be  remembered  that  none  of 
the  expense  connected  with  the  worship  fell  upon  this 
burner  of  incense,  upon  whom  the  glory  was  reflected. 
From  the  golden  Turkish  pound  or  napoleon  of 
France,  distributed  with  lavish  hand,  to  the  most  atten 
uated  metalik,  given  to  the  blind  beggar,  all  came  out  of 
Leone's  funds.  But,  then,  they  were  constantly  replen 
ished  from  his  wealthy  uncle's  hoard.  And  who  could 
be  very  angry  with  so  devoted  a  follower  as  Selim? 
Little  did  he  count  the  cost  where  his  master's  gratifi 
cation  was  concerned. 

Sometimes  Leone  would  lose  his  patience  about  it. 

"  This  is  unbearable  !  "  he  declared. 

There  were  not  wanting  those  in  Jerusalem  who  told 
him  that  people  were  constantly  saying:  "  Poor  young 
Count  Spollato.  His  dragoman  imposes  on  him ;  and 
makes  him  pay  two  prices  for  everything." 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  241 

This  exasperated  Leone,  and  when  next  Selim  got  off 
his  stereotyped  "  Your  honour,  sir,"  "  My  honour,  in 
deed,"  Leone  cried.  "  With  these  people  my  honour  is 
my  money.  And  when  you  give  them  a  handful  of  it, 
you  have  taken  so  much  of  my  honour  from  me,  and 
transferred  it  to  them ;  and  presently  they  will  have  all 
my  honour,  and  I  none." 

But  Selim  was  incorrigible,  and,  like  the  washed  sow, 
went  back  to  his  wallowing  in  the  mire. 

The  curiosity  and  wonder  of  Amne  in  viewing  the 
furniture  and  appointments  of  the  house  were  a  source 
of  great  enjoyment  to  Leone.  Yet,  in  the  midst  of  all 
the  display,  the  unsophisticated  child  of  Nature,  the 
daughter  of  the  wilderness,  remained,  to  outward  ap 
pearance,  unabashed,  undisturbed.  True,  an  occasional 
visit  to  certain  acquaintances  and  friends  in  Jerusalem 
had  partly  prepared  her,  and  given  her  a  slight  knowl 
edge  of  what  pertains  to  a  somewhat  more  civilised 
mode  of  life  than  that  of  the  Palestine  fellah. 

Once  she  said,  "  I  must  go."  But  Selim  reassured 
her. 

"She  would  like  to  see  the  other  rooms  —  the  rest  of 
the  house,"  suggested  Selim. 

Accustomed  to  the  simple  village  house  with  its  two 
or  three  small  rooms  at  most  —  oftener  only  one  room 
—  these  numerous  chambers  were  to  her  like  a  maze. 
She  would  have  lost  her  way  in  them.  But,  then,  this 
only  added  the  charm  of  mystery  to  their  other  delights. 

So  they  led  her  from  one  apartment  into  another,  and 
even  into  the  more  sacred  precincts  of  Leone's  bedroom 
—  a  marvellous  piece  of  sumptuousness  —  where  her 
peculiar  interest  in  the  most  minute  details  of  its  equip 
ment  she  did  not  attempt  to  disguise,  to  the  full  ap 
preciation  of  its  owner,  —  Selim  liberally,  and  without 
expurgation,  translating  for  his  benefit  her  artless,  inno 
cently  broad  remarks,  while  Leone  wickedly  smiled  to 
encourage  her. 

But  it  was  the  adjoining  marble  bath  with  all  its 
luxurious  arrangements  and  appliances,  in  the  Turkish 
style,  which  appealed  most  decidedly  to  her  suscepti 
bilities.  It  was  here,  amid  the  various  toilet  articles,  her 

16 


242  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

feminine  instincts  asserted  themselves.  She  had  been 
like  a  bird  fluttering  on  the  edge  of  the  fountain  before 
wetting  foot  or  wing.  Here  she  gave  way.  This  was 
the  grand  climax.  She  could  no  longer  contain  herself. 
The  impulses  of  coquetry  inherent  in  every  female 
creature,  manifested  themselves  —  in  the  presence  of 
such  a  temptation  were  ungovernable,  and  were  let 
loose. 

Few  of  even  the  peasant  women  are  unacquainted 
with  the  uses  of  henna  with  which  they  stain  to  a  rich 
golden  orange  the  hands,  feet,  and  finger-nails,  or  the 
kohl  with  which  they  paint  the  borders  of  the  eyes  a  full 
black.  Her  fingers  were  already  tinged  with  the  lus 
trous  stain  of  the  former.  She,  too,  had  learned,  from 
visiting  her  city  friends,  the  employment  of  the  cosmet 
ics  in  more  esteemed  use.  But  now,  this  lavish  display 
at  her  free  disposal  was  too  much.  It  surpassed  her  be 
lief.  These  agreeable  mysteries,  of  voluptuous  quality, 
that  held  boundless  possibilities  of  beauty,  what  might 
not  be  achieved  through  them?  The  perfumed  soap, 
the  dentifrice,  the  cold  cream,  the  gilded  flasks  of  otto 
of  roses,  and  rarer  extracts  to  her  unknown,  the  violet- 
scented  powder  with  its  dainty  box  and  puff,  the 
ivory-mounted  brushes  and  other  utensils,  the  uses  of 
some  of  which  she  could  only  guess  at  by  intuition, 
filled  her  with  the  intense  desire  to  experiment  with 
them  upon  her  person.  She  could  not  resist  inquiring 
about  them,  or  requesting  permission  to  so  employ 
them,  and  Leone  was  only  too  well  pleased  to  gratify 
her  in  these  wishes. 

"  May  I  use  this?     Can  I  have  that?  " 

The  simple  words  fell  from  her  lips  like  the  twitter  of 
a  bird,  or  the  chatter  of  a  child. 

"Certainly.  They  are  at  your  disposition,"  he  would 
answer,  in  the  insinuating  Eastern  style.  "  They  are 
yours  to  do  what  you  like  with.  They  are  yours,  not 
mine." 

No  second  invitation  was  needed.  She  felt  as  if  she 
had  entered  some  palace  of  the  genii  where  her  wishes 
might  know  no  limit  —  where  she  might  gratify  her 
desires  to  the  full. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  243 

"  How  delightfully  amusing  these  natives  are  !  "  said 
Leone,  turning  to  Selim. 

"  Wait,  and  you  shall  see,"  was  his  pithy  reply. 

"And  now,  Selim,  you  can  go  and  arrange  the  flowers 
in  water  before  they  fade.  And  then  serve  us  something 
extra  fine  in  the  way  of  refreshments." 

Only  too  glad  was  the  wily  Selim  to  depart  on  such 
an  errand,  which  he  knew  meant  a  carte  blanche  for  a 
banquet. 

"  Now  I  shall  do  something  grand,"  he  said. 

Amne  stood  before  the  great  mirror,  half  entranced, 
half  ashamed,  while  beautifying  herself,  and  arranging 
her  hair  and  dress,  Leone  leaning  back  upon  the  soft 
abundant  cushions  of  a  broad  couch,  near  by,  and 
luxuriating  in  the  scene,  to  his  heart's  content. 

She  watched  him  furtively,  her  eyes  demurely  low 
ered  while  he  was  looking.  But  when  he  turned  away, 
removing  his  enthralling  glances  for  an  interval,  her 
entire  attention  was  given  to  his  well-shaped  glossy 
head,  which  she  longed  to  hold  in  her  lap,  and  his 
attractive  form,  extended  with  careless  abandon,  dis 
played  in  close-fitting  European  dress,  not  concealed 
by  the  long-flowing  garments  of  the  country,  with 
which  custom  had  rendered  her  familiar. 

"  Would  that  he  might  love  me,"  she  whispered. 

Her  admiration  for  him  was  but  too  evident;  and, 
regarding  him  as  an  exalted  god-like  being,  far  above 
her,  this  made  her  feel  all  the  more  keenly  the  neces 
sity  for  making  herself  more  beautiful,  that  she  might 
not  come  short  of  what  was  worthy  of  him. 

So  she  had  laved  in  the  perfumed  water,  and  made 
lavish  use  of  the  articles  of  the  toilet,  as  women  are 
wont  to  do  who  have  such  an  object  in  prospect. 

Her  plain  peasant  garb,  which  hitherto  had  been 
sufficient  for  her  adornment,  now  had  become  utterly 
contemptible  in  her  eyes.  She  could  not  bear  it. 

"  He  will  despise  me  in  it,"  she  said  impetuously. 

Among  Leone's  collections,  which  covered  a  wide 
field,  was  a  quantity  of  rich  and  costly  Oriental  gar 
ments,  of  both  men  and  women.  These  filled,  in  an 
adjacent  room,  a  large  wardrobe  which  Amne  had  found 


244  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

in  her  ransacking  exploration.  She  had  been  struck 
particularly  with  the  magificence  of  an  elaborate  silk 
robe,  of  rich  crimson,  lavishly  embroidered  with  gold. 
The  daring  thought  of  appropriating  it  now  flashed 
through  her  mind. 

"  He  will  not  refuse  it  to  me,"  she  said,  to  encourage 
her  act.  "  He  is  so  royally  munificent." 

Cautiously  she  went  to  where  that  most  desirable 
thing  of  joy  and  splendour  hung.  It  would  fit  her  to 
perfection.  The  sight  of  it  inflamed  her.  She  carefully 
took  it  out.  She  held  it  against  her.  Oh,  the  glory  of 
it !  Again  and  again,  she  measured  her  height  with  it, 
admiringly.  It  would  make  her  like  a  houri. 

She  tore  off  and  threw  aside  her  peasant  dress.  It 
was  done  in  a  sort  of  rage  —  a  passionate  disdain. 

She,  at  once,  was  a  modern  Eve  in  her  undraped 
beauty. 

In  a  few  moments  the  gorgeous  apparel,  all  crimson- 
and-gold,  enveloped  her.  It  clung  to  her  as  if  it  was 
hers  of  right,  as  if  it  belonged  to  her  and  loved  her. 
She  clasped  it  about  her  waist,  and  fastened  its  span 
gled  cincture,  with  graceful  freedom  drooping  loosely 
over  the  sheeny  folds.  She  was  like  a  radiant  imago  — 
a  splendid  butterfly,  freshly  emerged  from  the  unsightly 
cocoon. 

She  had  found  an  antique  chain  of  gold,  and  twisted 
it  about  her  neck.  A  similar  ornament  she  twined  in 
her  hair. 

"  He  will  not  refuse  them  to  me,"  she  repeated,  to 
embolden  her.  "  It  is  only  to  honour  him,  and  make 
me  nearer  to  him  and  more  worthy  of  the  intimacy  of 
his  sublime  presence." 

Softly  and  yearningly,  all  crimson  and  gold,  with 
throbbing  heart,  longing  to  see  him  —  longing  yet  fear 
ing  that  he  should  see  her  —  she  came  to  the  door  and 
looked  in. 

He  still  remained  where  she  had  left  him,  half-reclined 
on  the  couch,  amid  the  billowy  cushions. 

There  was  a  giving  way  to  his  feelings  displayed  in 
his  attitude  which,  being  alone,  he  did  not  try  to  con 
ceal,  but  evidently  was  careless  about.  His  heart  had 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  245 

grown  warm  within  him,  and  was  dictating  certain 
hopes,  wishes  and  desires,  such  as  are  apt  to  be  born  of 
the  young  man's  fancies. 

She  stood  satisfying  herself  with  gazing  at  him. 
Perilous  work ;  for  in  such  a  case  the  appetite  grows  on 
what  it  feeds  on. 

His  face  had  an  absorbed  blissful  expression,  differ 
ent  from  any  she  had  seen  on  it.  It  pleased  yet  puzzled 
her.  She  could  gladly  have  kissed  his  feet. 

He  was  thinking  of  her,  but  she  did  not  know  it. 

"  She  is  beautiful,  beautiful  beyond  compare,"  he 
murmured.  "  The  sylphs  of  Paradise,  whom  a  man 
sometimes  sees  in  his  dreams,  but  who  vanish  at  the 
touch,  are  no  fairer." 

She  knew  not  a  word  of  what  he  said,  but  the  deep 
round  tones  of  his  voice  appealed  to  her  strangely, 
movingly,  and  she  felt  through  the  vibratory  communi 
cation,  all  and  more  than  all  that  the  mere  words  would 
have  conveyed  had  she  heard  to  understand  them. 

She  saw  with  devouring  eyes,  in  his  retrospective 
mood,  unconscious  of  her  presence,  this  noble  exalted 
young  man,  this  prince  of  princes,  this  effendi,  this  emir 
of  high  lineage,  so  immeasurably  elevated  above  her, 
and  her  heart  leaped  high,  then  sank  within  her.  How 
could  she  approach  him?  How  could  she  even  let  her 
thoughts  incline  to  him?  His  face,  his  head,  his  hands, 
his  feet,  his  entire  body  and  soul  had  for  her  the  high 
sanctity  of  the  patrician  —  the  noble,  the  king-man. 

"Yet,  highly  exalted  as  he  is,  he  has  been  kind  to 
me,"  she  said.  "  He  has  looked  favourably  upon  me." 

With  proud  native  grace,  concealing  her  timidity,  she 
drew  near.  It  was  Esther  approaching  Ahasuerus. 

Just  then  with  an  impatient  movement  he  changed 
his  position,  so  that  the  light  struck  full  on  his  face  and 
figure,  revealing  his  every  feature.  What  a  thrill  of 
rapture  it  gave  her.  What  an  attractive  force  com 
pelled  her. 

His  gaze  was  directed  to  the  mirror;  and  he  saw, 
slowly  taking  form  and  advancing,  as  if  coming  out  of  it 
towards  him,  a  rare  and  lovely  maiden,  in  glorious  attire, 
the  realisation  of  his  reverie. 


246  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

For  a  moment  he  could  scarcely  believe  his  senses. 
Then  there  was  the  whispering  rustle  of  the  silken  dress. 
She  stood  beside  him. 

"  Amne !  "  he  exclaimed,  making  a  hurried  effort  to 
sit  upright. 

What  quickened  admiration  and  delight  he  conveyed 
in  the  single  word !  It  was  sweeter  than  the  sweetest 
music  in  her  ears. 

After  a  slight  hesitation,  she  stretched  forth  her  hand 
and,  ever  so  delicately,  touched  his  closely-trimmed, 
pointed  beard  with  the  bewitching  tips  of  her  tapering 
ringers,  roseate-golden  with  the  tint  of  the  henna,  then 
raised  them  to  her  lips  and  kissed  them. 

The  conciliatory  gesture  of  supplication,  the  mode  of 
preferring  any  request  of  moment,  familiar,  yet  sacredly 
imperative  in  the  land  for  thousands  of  years,  it  was  new 
to  him.  But  under  such  circumstances  as  these,  had  he 
witnessed  the  custom  scores  of  times,  for  him  it  would 
have  pulsed  with  all  the  pristine  warmth  and  freshness 
of  youth  of  the  day  that  saw  it  done  for  the  first 
time.  There  could  be  no  staleness  about  it  from  such 
a  source. 

"  Bountiful  lord,  be  not  angry  with  me  because  I 
have  borrowed  from  thy  goodly  store  this  costly  rai 
ment,"  she  pleaded.  "  It  is  to  do  thee  honour,  gracious 
Emir,  and  that  I  might  not  shame  thy  princely  state. 
Grant  thy  forgiveness  if  I  have  offended." 

Her  touch  had  sent  the  obedient  blood  in  saltatory 
bounds  through  his  veins.  He  guessed  what  she  meant 
and  said,  though  to  him  her  action  implied  more  than 
was  intended.  He  sprang  to  his  feet  He  was  still  full 
of  the  delicious  glamour  of  his  day-dream,  of  which  this 
was  but  a  part.  Lifted  out  of  himself,  it  was  as  if  he 
walked  on  air.  He  was  happier,  more  positive,  more 
natural  than  if  he  had  been  himself —  his  ordinary  self. 
How  could  he  withstand  those  dark  pleading  eyes,  — 
those  budding  lips,  red  as  a  pomegranate  flower? 

"  Angry  !  Offended  !  Oh,  no  !  Not  I !  The  rai 
ment  is  yours.  It  is  nothing.  Did  I  not  tell  you?  All 
that  I  have  is  yours.  I  myself  am  yours." 

What  more  he  said  he  did  not  know.     His  signs  and 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  247 

actions  more  than   satisfactorily  supplied   his  want  of 
words. 

"  It  is  well,"  she  murmured,  half-inquiringly. 

"  It  is  heavenly  well,"  he  profanely  responded,  with 
the  blunt  unequivocal  assertiveness  of  the  man 
unrestrained. 

Her  long  black  silken  lashes  reposed  with  entrancing 
modesty  on  the  ripened  glow  of  her  olive  cheek.  The 
rich  gleam  of  that  which  is  life  and  love  shone  through, 
like  a  lighted  lamp  within  an  alabaster  vase.  Gently, 
almost  submissively,  she  at  length  lifted  her  full-orbed 
eyes  to  his,  as  he  gazed  with  overpowering  intenseness 
upon  her.  Is  it  not  in  this  gentle  submissiveness,  where 
used  with  discretion,  that  the  chief  power  of  the  woman 
resides?  It  was  like  the  sudden  meeting  of  decisive 
lances  in  a  friendly  tournament. 

"  Allah  is  kind  to  me,  and  thou,  generous  lord,  art 
kind  to  me." 

"  Amne,  I  love  you,  I  love  you  !     I  — 

Pity  him.     Envy  him.     And  her? 

To  her  he  was  a  great  power  —  a  great  hope  —  and 
more,  —  he  was  the  embodiment  of  love. 

Except  for  some  stray  fragments  of  Arabic  conversa- 
*ion  which  Leone  had  already  acquired,  and  a  few  sen 
tences  of  Italian  and  English  known  to  Amne,  neither 
understood  the  language  of  the  other ;  and  Selim  was 
not  near  to  interpret;  nor  did  they  want  him  near. 
Eye  to  eye,  lip  to  lip,  heart  to  heart,  there  is  a  lan 
guage  for  which,  be  the  lands  of  their  birth  ever  so  far 
apart,  their  speech  ever  so  distinctive,  man  and  woman 
require  no  interpreter.  It  is  the  voice  of  Nature ;  it  is 
the  cry  of  love ;  the  universal  tongue  which  has  been 
given  to  all. 

There  were  in  both  of  them  the  natural  elements  that 
drew  each  to  the  other  and  besought  recognition. 
Perhaps,  of  the  two,  the  woman  felt  this  the  more 
intensely.  Separated  as  they  might  be  by  race,  relig 
ion,  education,  training,  and  position,  there  still  was 
that,  down  deep  in  the  heart  of  each,  which  remained  to 
claim  affinity  and  association. 

The   moments   swiftly  passed ;    the  shadows  of  ap- 


248  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

preaching  eventide  began  to  fall,  filling  the  room  with 
subdued  glimmering.  As  it  happened,  it  was  at  the 
identical  time  that  Hilwe  had  interrupted  the  conversa 
tion  of  the  women,  as  they  approached  Malha  in  return 
ing  from  Jerusalem,  with  the  repeated  expression  of  her 
fears  as  to  Amne. 

But  Amne  had  no  fears  for  herself.  Nor  did  she 
think  of  returning  home.  She  was  past  all  that. 

Through  the  half-opened  windows  came  occasionally 
the  feeble  undertoned  warble  from  a  cage  of  gold 
finches  hung  in  the  veranda  under  the  trellis  of  jasmine 
and  passion-flower.  A  spray  of  the  latter  with  a 
single  star-like  flower,  which  had  broken  loose,  swung 
to  and  fro  in  the  breeze,  with  a  sibilant  sound. 
Within  the  room  there  was  silence  so  deep  that  this 
soft  rustling  made  itself  heard. 

More  than  once  Selim  had  entered  the  ante-chamber, 
thinking  he  might  be  wanted,  and  had  listened  at  the 
door.  He  did  not  often  enter  the  inner  room  without 
being  summoned  by  his  master,  or  under  urgent  reasons. 
So  he  continued  to  wait  outside. 

He  had  fulfilled  his  orders  to  his  own  satisfaction, 
and  was  not  without  natural  pride  as  to  the  result. 

"It  will  be  a  grand  banquet,  and  do  credit  to  the 
house,"  he  told  himself. 

He  bent  his  ear  to  the  door. 

"She  has  no  intention  of  leaving,"  he  whispered,  a 
peculiar  insinuative  gesture  accompanying  the  words. 
"Not  she!" 

He  ventured  to  tap  lightly  on  the  panels. 

There  was  no  answer. 

Again  he  tapped ;  this  time  a  little  louder.  Still 
there  was  no  response. 

He  now  stealthily  and  noiselessly  opened  the  door, 
and  gently  pushed  aside  the  drapery  which  overhung  it 
on  the  inside,  just  sufficient  to  intrude  his  head. 

He  stood  and  gazed  for  a  space ;  then  slowly  dropped 
the  portiere  and  withdrew,  a  significant  smile  curling 
his  complacent,  sensuous  lips. 

As  in  the  case  of  most  Orientals,  Selim's  curiosity 
was  of  the  inordinate  rapacious  quality,  and  where  his 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  249 

master  was  involved,  it  was  apt  to  reach  the  extreme. 
But  he  had  satisfied  himself;  and  now  proceeded  to 
complete  the  various  appointments  for  the  banquet, 
arraying  the  table  with  all  the  skill  of  which  he  was 
capable,  and  in  ways  which  he  knew  were  pleasing  to 
the  count. 

"Now  I  have  done  something  worthy,"  he  assured 
himself.  "Count  Leone  will  praise  me." 

The  sides  of  the  dining-room  as  well  as  the  centre 
of  the  table  were  lavishly  decorated  with  the  flowers  of 
the  narcissus,  which  he  knew  would  gratify  both  Leone 
and  Amne ;  and,  with  native  taste,  and  that  feeling  for 
colour  which  is  predominant  in  the  East,  he  had  laid 
loosely  upon  their  delicately-veined  sides,  in  open  cut- 
glass  dishes  of  slim  oblong  shape,  some  blossoms  of  the 
purple  crocus,  which  made  a  fine  and  telling  contrast 
with  the  silver  and  gold  of  the  narcissus.  It  was  like 
the  rich  man,  Dives,  clothed  in  purple  and  fine  linen. 

As  by  this  time  it  was  almost  dusk,  Selim  lighted 
the  wax  tapers  in  the  candelabra,  which  added  largely 
to  the  brilliancy  of  the  effect,  and  announced  that  all 
was  now  ready. 

Great  was  the  dazzling  blaze  of  crystal  and  silver; 
sweet  the  relief  of  the  clustering  blossoms. 

When  he  ushered  Leone  and  Amne  into  the  room, 
it  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  delighted  wonder 
of  the  latter  at  the  sight,  as  she  nodded  her  head,  from 
which  dangled  a  multitude  of  golden  moons  and  stars, 
and  other  heavenly  bodies,  by  a  series  of  chainlets, 
from  the  antique  ornament  she  had  fastened  in  her 
hair.  Especially  surprised  and  strangely  pleased  was 
she  to  find  that,  instead  of  her  having  to  serve  Leone, 
standing  behind  him,  and  waiting  till  he  had  finished 
eating  before  she  had  placed  a  morsel  of  the  food  inside 
her  lips,  she  was  given  the  seat  of  honour  at  his  right 
hand,  and  made  a  first  feature  of,  all  the  dishes  being 
passed  to  her  before  he  would  touch  them. 

"Will  you  not  eat  of  this,  Amne?  " 

How  gently  and  winningly  he  addressed  her!  With 
what  soft  innocent  words !  And  how  gallant,  and 
happy,  and  full  of  love  he  was! 


250  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"Who  could  refuse  him?"  she  said.  "Who  would 
not  worship  such  a  lover?" 

He  talked  to  her  all  the  sweet  little  broken  prattle 
of  the  Arabic  that  he  knew,  and  used  toward  her  the 
tender,  endearing,  fascinating  ways  of  which  he  was 
master;  encouraging  her  to  reply  in  her  unsophisticated 
village  phraseology. 

It  was  remarkable  with  what  tact  she  filled  her  place 
at  the  table.  There  were  few  or  no  blunders  percep 
tible  on  her  part. 

The  knives  and  forks  were,  no  doubt,  somewhat  of 
stumbling-blocks  to  her;  and,  like  the  Eastern  people 
generally,  she  considered  that  food  tasted  sweeter 
from  between  the  fingers ;  yet  she  was  too  shrewd  to 
let  this  appear,  but  watched  and  copied  Leone  in 
everything. 

Still  she  could  not  forbear  to  put  choice  bits  of  the 
food  into  his  mouth  with  her  fingers  —  oh,  how 
daintily! 

"It  is  delightful  to  be  so  intimate  with  you,"  she 
said;  "  I  love  you  so." 

And  he  returned  the  compliment  in  kind,  after  her 
example,  and  with  the  addition  of  an  ardent  kiss. 

She  even  did  not  show  surprise  at  the  forbidden 
fizzing  sparkling  draught  of  amber  hue  which  Selim 
poured  into  the  slender  glasses  placed  for  her  and 
Leone's  use,  and  which  exhilarating  fluid  of  France 
she  mistook  for  the  most  delicious  sherbet  she  had  ever 
tasted. 

Noticing  its  peculiar  effervescence,  in  her  heart  she 
supposed  it  contained  some  potent  love-philtre.  But 
she  did  not  care. 

"So  much  the  better,"  she  said,  tossing  off  the 
potion;  "I  cannot  love  him  enough." 

And  Leone  drank  her  health  ;  and,  with  replenished 
glasses,  initiated  her  into  what  she  accepted  as  a 
sacred  ceremonial  libation,  teaching  her  to  drink  his 
health. 

He  luxuriated  in  talking  to  her  at  her  level. 

"  What  a  dear  little  bead  !  "  he  said. 

It  was  one  of  those  blue  beads  (suspended  from  her 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  251 

neck)  so  commonly  worn  by  the  peasantry  as  a  talisman 
to  ward  off  the  influence  of  the  "evil  eye." 

He  bent  forward,  and  taking  it  between  his  finger 
and  thumb,  raised  it  to  his  lips  and  kissed  it. 

"I  love  it  so,  because  it  is  yours,"  he  lisped. 

"It  is  nothing,"  she  returned,  smiling. 

"It  is  everything." 

He  replaced  it,  softly  and  slowly,  where  it  rested, 
above  her  breast.  His  hand  lingered  there  tenderly, 
caressingly.  And  still  flowed  on  the  deliciously  foolish 
babble  of  love-words :  — 

"O  delight  of  my  eyes,  joy  of  my  life,  do  we  not 
love  one  another?  " 

"Truly,  truly." 

"  That  is  a  beautiful  star  tattooed  upon  thy  bosom, 
Amne.  Let  me  touch  it  with  my  lips." 

Quickly  appreciating  the  change  in  position  which 
had  taken  place  between  herself  and  Selim,  Amne 
followed  Leone's  example  in  ordering  him  about.  She 
even  went  further,  exacting  very  particular  service  from 
him  in  innumerable  ways,  clapping  her  hands  to  call 
him,  and  making  him  feel  her  superiority  in  acts  only 
possible  to  an  Oriental.  It  was  perfectly  characteris 
tic  of  the  people. 

Leone  laughed,  much  diverted.  Selim  showed  no 
restiveness,  but  took  it  all  in  good  part,  treating  her  as 
a  capricious  child.  He  had  a  greater  joy. 

And  when  the  night  settled  down  and  darkness 
reigned  supreme,  and  the  fowls  of  the  air  had  gone 
to  roost  and  the  beasts  of  the  field  to  their  lairs  and 
man  to  his  repose,  and  Amne  evinced  no  anxiety  or 
fear  as  to  remaining,  Selim  quietly  repeated  to  him 
self  with  scarcely-suppressed  exultation : 

"  He  is  pleased.  I  am  glad.  She  is  well  content 
to  stay.  Why  should  it  not  be  so?  She  has  no 
thought  of  leaving." 

And  the  moon  came  and  looked  down  on  the  ruinous 
places,  and  on  savage  and  desolate  regions  where  no 
man  dwelt,  and  on  homes  of  beauty  and  love;  on 
thievish  haunts  and  murderous  dens,  and  cradled  inno 
cence;  on  seraglios,  and  holy  shrines;  on  peaceful 


252  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

sanctity,  and  hotbed  of  lust;  and  left  on  each  alike 
her  chaste  cold  kiss.  For  to  her  all  was  well  upon 
the  earth. 

And  that  day  and  night  passed,  and  were  followed  by 
others  like  unto  them.  And  Amne  was  content  to  live 
the  new  life  she  had  found  with  Leone,  and  to  forget 
the  place  of  her  birth,  and  the  house  of  her  people,  and 
the  old  life  at  Malha.  Nor  did  it  trouble  her,  nor 
enter  her  head  to  think  she  had  made  herself  accurst 
with  a  dog  of  a  Giaour. 

He  was  kind  to  her  according  to  what  such  men 
count  kindness,  —  far  kinder  than  would  have  been  one 
of  her  own  religion  or  people. 

In  her  estimation  he  was  as  an  incarnation  of  all 
that  was  to  be  desired. 

O  man  !  —  the  beast !  —  the  angel ! —  the  god  !  What 
art  thou?  And  where  is  thy  reckoning? 

The  old  man,  Jacobini,  living  close  by,  —  almost 
under  the  same  roof,  —  came  and  went,  in  his  placid 
existence,  knowing  none  of  these  things.  Or,  if  a 
stray  suspicion  entered  his  mind,  he  averted  or  closed 
his  eyes,  thinking  it  better  not  to  see.  What  could 
he  do?  He  recalled,  too,  the  proverb  he  had  once 
heard  quoted  by  Selim :  "Why  should  a  man  set  fire 
to  his  own  beard?" 


CHAPTER    XXI 

EVEN  as  Kadra  had  prognosticated,  Fatima  was  so 
rejoiced  at  the  amount  of  money  obtained  by 
the  sale  of  Hilwe's  flowers,  that  she  was  eager  the  girl 
should  go,  the  very  next  day,  in  search  of  more  of  the 
spoil  of  the  field  and  hillside.  Only  too  gladly  did 
Hilwe  set  out  the  following  morning,  and  found  the 
expectant  Hassan  awaiting  her,  and  eager  to  accom 
pany  her  and  assist  her  in  her  task,  as  he  had  done 
previously. 

If  possible,    the  natural  garden-like  inclosure  was 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

more  beautiful  than  ever.  The  flowers  were  more 
abundant,  and  of  greater,  variety.  The  two  days  of 
genial  weather  which  had  intervened  had  made  a 
remarkable  difference.  The  entire  hillside  would  soon 
be  ablaze  with  scarlet  anemones.  In  favourable  spots 
it  was  already  dabbled  with  them,  as  if  with  blood 
stains.  But,  oh,  the  silvery  white  of  the  narcissus! 
And  the  joy,  greater  than  ever,  it  was  to  Hassan  and 
Hilwe  to  sit  among  the  blossoms  and  inhale  the  fra 
grance  !  They  found  it  easier  than  before  to  gather 
the  flowers,  and  soon  had  all  they  desired. 

Certes,  their  happiness  was  at  the  full.  And  how 
glad  and  free  were  Hassan's  words! 

"Out  here  alone,  Hilwe,  away  from  every  one, 
among  the  sweet  white  and  scarlet  blooms,  is  it  not 
like  Paradise?  Is  it  not  Heaven  on  earth,  with  thee 
in  my  arms,  —  so  close  to  me,  —  so  dear  to  me,  my 
beloved?" 

"  Naam  —  Yes. " 

Hassan  heard  the  softly-uttered  response  breathed 
very  low  against  his  breast  with  a  sigh  of  deep  con 
tentment,  as  Hilwe  nestled  nearer  to  him,  under  the 
sheltering  folds  of  his  abai. 

"  How  spice-like  is  the  smell  of  the  blossoms !  This 
is  even  the  mountain  of  myrrh  and  the  hill  of  frank 
incense  of  which  Suleyman,  the  wise  king,  spake  in  his 
Canticles  —  his  Song  of  Songs.  And  thou,  my  beloved, 
my  spouse,  —  for  art  thou  not  my  spouse  ?  —  fairest 
among  women,  art  among  the  daughters  as  is  the  lily 
among  thorns.  Truly,  I  am  sick  of  love.  And  thou 
alone  canst  comfort  me.  I  am  my  beloved's,  and  my 
beloved  is  mine." 

"Yes,  truly,  I  am  thine." 

What  could  be  more  simple  or  innocent  than  their 
love-life? 

Whatever  else  he  was,  or  was  not,  Hassan  was  a 
brave,  stalwart  lover.  He  was  deeply  affectionate  as 
well  as  lovable.  It  came  natural  to  him.  He  could 
not  help  it.  And  now,  at  this  time  of  the  year,  when 
the  earth  and  all  things  were  so  kind  and  generous  in 
responding  to  the  genial  influences  that  abounded,  and 


254  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

the  quickening  ardour  of  the  great  central  orb,  it  was 
not  for  such  as  he  to  play  the  coward  or  the  laggard. 
It  was  not  in  his  muscle  or  in  his  bones,  in  his  heart 
or  his  hands.  He,  the  strong  one,  who  had  lived  so 
closely  to  nature,  and  who  had  wrestled  with,  or  made 
playfellows  and  playthings  of  the  wild  creatures  on  the 
mountains  and  in  the  valleys,  and  had  learned  their 
untutored  ways,  intuitively  knew  what  was  expected  of 
him,  and  was  not  dwarfed  to  the  cold,  calculating, 
conventional  standard  of  artificial  life. 

With  the  sweet  music  of  the  voice  of  the  woman 
he  loved  ringing  in  his  ears,  —  so  soothing  and  low,  so 
loving  yet  so  modest,  — what  wonder  that  his  heart  was 
stirred  in  no  ordinary  degree ! 

Love  is  its  own  excuse.  There  is  no  apologising 
for  it.  Is  there  anything  sweeter  in  life?  No  —  no! 
It  is,  as  Hassan  repeatedly  had  said,  Heaven  on  earth. 

She  had  met  him  in  the  hills,  under  the  shadow  of 
the  rocks,  in  the  fields,  in  the  cave  where  he  slept  and 
found  shelter.  Men  have  warm  hearts  in  the  Orient, 
and,  living  a  rude  pastoral  life,  are  not  ashamed  of  the 
natural  endowments  —  rather,  indeed,  are  they  proud 
of  them.  They  have  not  learned  the  shame  that  comes 
of  progress  of  a  certain  kind. 

No  one  brings  accusation  against  the  wild,  unlicensed 
creatures  of  God  for  acts  of  immorality  or  immodesty. 
With  man,  of  whom,  rationally,  more  is  expected,  it 
is  otherwise.  Yet,  often,  the  natural  emotions  reduce 
a  man  to  the  bare  original  principles. 

In  short,  Hassan's  love  for  Hilwe  had  all  the  impetu 
ous  ardour  of  the  healthy  robust  peasant.  Full  of  the 
strong  instincts  of  the  man  who  has  lived  the  free, 
outdoor  life  of  the  mountain-side,  and  with  compara 
tively  little  or  no  conception  of  the  restraints  and 
limits  the  conventionalities  of  a  refined  civilisation 
necessarily  have  erected  around  all  that  is  connected 
with  love  and  marriage,  it  obviously  would  be  unfair 
to  judge  him  by  any  of  the  artificial  standards  of 
modern  society.  They  could  not  take  his  measure. 
He  was  too  large  for  their  strait-laced  mould.  He 
lived  more  in  his  feelings  and  emotions  than  in  his 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  255 

thoughts  and  reason ;  and  even  his  reason  was  dragged 
down  into  his  feelings.  And  in  this  respect  he  was  no 
exception  to  his  class. 

Still,  it  may  be  said  he  did  not  conform  to  the  rules 
and  customs  of  the  primitive  people  to  whom  he 
belonged. 

True.  But  this  was  not  altogether  his  fault.  He 
had  done  what  in  him  lay  to  reach  this  end,  and  gain 
their  approval ;  and  even  yet  hoped  to  obtain  the  desired 
sanction.  Exceptional  circumstances  had  prevented 
and  thwarted  him.  Otherwise  there  would  have  been 
no  room  for  this  criticism. 

In  the  sight  of  God  and  the  angels,  Hassan  and 
Hilwe  were  man  and  wife.  What  mattered  it  that 
neither  Hilwe's  uncle  nor  the  sheik  at  Malha,  nor  the 
sheik  at  Bettir  had  sanctioned  the  contract  and  mut 
tered  the  formula  over  them  ?  What  matter  what  the 
functionary,  civil  or  religious,  or  otherwise,  had  said 
or  done,  or  not  said  or  done,  about  it?  or  that,  for 
venal  motives,  Hilwe's  guardian  had  withheld  consent? 
Too  often  the  sacred  words  consecrate  unholy  partner 
ships  and  the  most  wicked  compacts;  and  sometimes 
they  are  wanting  in  the  case  of  the  genuine  marriages, 
—  unions  made  in  Heaven.  Besides,  with  the  fella 
heen,  a  written  or  even  a  verbal  contract  is  all  that  is 
absolutely  required  in  marriage. 

It  was  their  honeymoon,  —  the  feast  of  their  married 
joy.  But  for  them  no  wedding  banquet  was  spread, 
nor  were  there  rejoicing  and  merry-making  of  kinsfolk 
and  friends,  fatted  calf,  and  golden  ring,  and  mar 
riage  garment,  nor  all  the  little  forms  and  ceremonies 
so  dear  to  the  native  heart.  Even  the  most  maimed 
rites  were  wanting.  Yet  sweeter  than  the  metheglin 
prescribed  by  old  Teutonic  custom  for  bride  and  bride 
groom  during  the  bridal  month,  —  known  from  this  as 
the  honey-month  or  honeymoon,  —  were  to  them  the 
salutations  of  the  flowers,  and  the  "  God  speed ! "  of 
the  fresh  breezes  blowing  up  from  the  Great  Sea  over 
the  waiting  expectant  hills.  And  within,  they  were 
glad  with  a  secret  gladness  and  a  fearful  joy. 

It  was  the  time  of  year  when  the  land  may  be  seen 


256  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

in  all  its  beauty;  and  Palestine  seemed  to  put  on  its 
glory  to  rejoice  with  them.  Throughout  rugged  Judaea, 
and  fairer  still  in  the  land  of  Ephraim,  whose  lines 
had  fallen  in  pleasant  places,  on  the  richly-gardened 
slopes,  named  Paradises,  the  freshly-expanded  young 
leaves  of  the  pomegranate  bushes  had  that  delicate 
orange-pink  hue  peculiar  to  them  when  first  they 
appear.  It  is  neither  pink  nor  orange,  but  smiles 
among  the  soft  green  foliage  of  the  early  year  with  a 
cheerful,  fulvous  glow,  brightly  beautiful  as  any 
blossom,  lighting  up  those  grand  slopes.  They  saw, 
day  by  day,  the  hillsides  and  valleys,  love-flooded, 
flame  out  redder  and  redder,  warmer  and  warmer, 
with  the  scarlet  of  the  anemone,  till  they  seemed  to 
have  caught  fire  from  heaven,  and  all  was  universal 
conflagration,  that,  later,  smouldered  on  in  the  more 
sullen  crimson  of  'the  ranunculus,  or  the  adonis,  whose 
sanguine  flowers  among  their  fringe  of  tender  green 
the  Christians  have  pathetically  named  "The  blood- 
drops  of  Christ."  The  spurs  of  the  mountains  were 
clothed  as  in  a  blue  mist  with  multitudes  of  lupine; 
and  the  little  celandine,  beloved  of  the  swallow,  lined 
the  margins  of  the  cool  streams  with  its  golden 
cups. 

And  the  days  and  the  weeks  passed,  and  to  the  man 
and  the  woman,  in  their  Eden  of  bliss,  all  was  as  a 
dream,  and  the  blazonry  and  pageant  of  the  flowery 
landscape  symbols  of  the  love  that  each  felt  at  heart, 
growing  fonder  and  fonder,  stronger  and  deeper. 

How  much  dream  or  dreaminess  enters  into  the 
Palestine  life  and  character,  —  the  people,  the  places, 
even  the  dress !  The  traveller  or  the  stranger  lends 
himself  to  the  impression,  and  he  feels  as  if  he  were 
walking  in  a  vision  of  the  past,  and  that  by  some  stroke 
of  the  magician's  wand  which  had  created  it,  it  all 
should  suddenly  dissolve  into  impalpable  air. 

It  is  the  Bible  alive! 

Yet  if  it  is  the  land  of  three  thousand  years  ago,  it 
is  also  the  land  of  to-morrow,  of  procrastination.  Per 
haps  this  is  the  explanation  of  it  all. 

"Boukra,  Boukra!  —  To-morrow,  to-morrow!" 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  257 

Boukra!  This  is  the  word  continually  on  the  lips 
of  the  people,  — the  constant  reply  when  the  question 
is  put  why  this  or  that  thing  has  been  so  long  neglected, 
and  has  not  been  done,  or  when  they  are  pushed  to 
finish  the  work  given  them.  They  are  eminently  con 
tent  to  wait  rather  than  to  labour. 

"  Boukra  —  -  To-morrow. "  Yes,  it  is  the  land  of 
Boukra,  where  every  one  has  plenty  of  time  in  which  to 
do  nothing.  There  is  no  rasping  hurry  here;  all  is 
bathed  in  the  congenial  almost  torpid  quiescence  — 
the  repose  pertaining  to  it,  and  into  which  it  has  settled 
with  fatalistic  equanimity.  The  thing  most  dreaded 
is  any  disturbance  of  existing  habits  and  customs. 

But,  so  far  as  the  visionary  was  concerned,  with 
Hassan  and  Hilwe  it  rather  was  that  the  dream,  the 
hope  of  their  life,  had  been  realised,  and  that  their 
happiness,  through  their  love,  had  exceeded  expecta 
tion  and  the  wildest  imagination  they  ever  had  indulged 
in.  It  had  come  upon  them  almost  unawares.  That 
it  had  been  chastened  and  proved  by  the  peculiar 
opposing  circumstances  they  had  encountered,  had  not 
lessened  but  really  heightened  the  ultimate  satisfac 
tion  and  felicity  which  were  theirs  in  spite  of  all 
antagonism.  It  is  a  well-understood  principle  of 
human  nature  that  that  which  costs  comparatively 
little  is  valued  accordingly. 

Hassan  was  not  the  sort  of  man  to  have  any  such 
thought  as  that  the  shell  or  body  which  he  inhabited, 
or  that  of  the  beautiful  Hilwe,  or  the  rocks,  flowers, 
grass,  trees,  and  living  things  surrounding  him  were, 
as  taught  by  the  idealist,  mere  appearances,  abstrac 
tions,  creations  of  the  brain,  delusions.  Oh,  no!  He 
was  not  built  that  way.  To  him  they  were  very  real, 
substantial  existences.  There  was  no  insipidity  about 
him,  — no  molluscous  flabbiness.  He  loved  the  world, 
and  the  things  that  were  in  the  world;  and,  so  far  as 
in  him  lay,  it  was  his  determination  to  get  all  the  good 
out  of  them  he  possibly  could  extract. 

By  this  time,  according  to  men's  ways,  he  may  have 
been  wicked ;  he  was,  at  least,  as  frail  or  self-indul 
gent  as  are  a  majority  of  the  natives;  but  he  never 


258  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

sinned  as  badly  as  David  sinned;  and  I  never  called 
Hassan  "a  man  after  God's  own  heart." 

But  had  the  bright  calendar  of  those  days  of  the 
year  as  it  unfolded  itself  in  flower,  and  bird,  and 
insect,  in  sky,  rivulet  and  grove,  for  Hassan  and  Hilwe 
no  undertone  of  melancholy,  no  touch  of  subdued, 
sombre  colouring? 

That  could  not  be  answered  positively  from  outward 
observation.  We  only  know  that  where  man  is,  there 
must  be  sadness  —  that  even  his  highest  bliss  is  tem 
pered  with  it.  And  we  doubt  that  they  were  excep 
tions.  It  indeed  would  be  strange  were  they  able, 
except,  perhaps,  in  their  most  exalted  moments  of 
happiness,  to  shut  out  from  themselves  all  thought  of 
the  inimical  conditions  which,  however  courageously 
they  had  pushed  aside  and  held  off  from  them,  still 
environed  them. 

Yet,  whatever  questioning  or  inauspicious  thoughts 
may  have  intruded  upon  their  gladness,  they  gave 
them  no  utterance  during  those  days  of  light.  It  was 
a  point  of  honour  as  well  as  of  love  with  them.  They 
would  not  say  aught  that  might  seem  to  bring 
reproach. 

It  was  not  till  the  harvest  of  the  roses  that  Hilwe 
at  last  gave  way,  and  broke  silence  as  to  what  was 
reverberating,  a  minor  tone,  in  her  mind. 

She  had  stolen  away,  one  evening,  to  meet  Hassan 
at  the  old  trysting-place.  She  was  late,  and  found 
him  waiting,  and  impatient  at  the  delay.  There  was  a 
boisterousness  in  his  manner  towards  her  which  some 
thing  told  her  was  forced,  unnatural,  and  meant  to  con 
ceal  or  counteract  his  true  feelings.  She  resented  this 
inwardly,  while  she  gave  way  to  his  mood,  and  appar 
ently  took  no  notice  of  it. 

Her  hair  had  fallen  loose  on  her  shoulders,  and  was 
blown  in  dark  tangles  about  her  face,  while  her  gar 
ments,  in  which  she  had  been  working  all  day,  were 
more  or  less  bedraggled  and  disordered.  She  had 
hastened  at  unusual  speed,  in  her  effort  to  make  up  for 
being  late;  and  she  thus  explained  and  excused  her 
dishevelled  condition,  which  she  tried  to  set  right  as 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  259 

best  she  could.  But  Hassan  only  laughed,  and  told 
her,  humourously,  he  found  no  fault  with  her. 

"Why  should  I?"  he  asked  flippantly.  "The  face 
of  a  beloved  mistress  has  no  need  of  a  tire-woman,"  he 
added,  quoting  an  old  proverb. 

She  wished  he  spoke  more  candidly  and  seriously. 
Now,  she  felt,  he  is  speaking  away  from  the  subject  at 
heart ;  and  tears  filled  her  eyes. 

Noticing  this,  he  rallied  her  about  it. 

"Why  art  thou  so  woe-begone  and  dejected?"  he 
asked. 

"Hassan,  it  is  the  time  of  roses,"  she  said,  with 
great  feeling. 

"  I  know  it,"  he  replied  carelessly. 

He  would  not  understand  her. 

He  was  very  proud  and  sensitive  about  this,  and 
could  not  bear  interrogatory  upon  it,  even  from  the 
woman  he  loved.  It  had  been  a  sorer  mortification  to 
him  than  he  himself  had  quite  measured,  that  he  had 
been  foiled  in  reaching  the  end  he  had  sought,  and 
that  he  had  not  yet  found  the  hoped-for  deliverance 
for  her.  It  was  a  reproach  to  him ;  yet  he  did  not  care 
to  acknowledge  it. 

The  words  of  Abd-el-nour  spoken  to  her  uncle  had 
been  burned  in  upon  Hassan's  brain  too  deeply  not,  at 
once,  to  be  recalled  by  even  a  far  slighter  hint  than 
that  of  Hilwe's. 

"  The  rose-harvest  began  three  days  ago ;  and  to 
morrow  will  be  the  greatest  day  of  all,  when  most  of 
the  flowers  will  be  in  bloom." 

How  plaintively  she  spoke  of  the  joyous,  the  beau 
tiful  event ! 

"And  all  Malha  is  rejoicing,"  he  said,  with  a  con 
temptuous  backward  toss  of  his  head. 

"All  but  Hilwe." 

This  was  uttered  by  her  in  a  low  sad  voice,  scarcely 
audible. 

Hassan's  face  had  assumed  a  hard,  drawn  expression, 
and  his  eyes  were  full  of  pain  as  he  looked  beyond 
Hilwe  into  the  far  distance. 

"Roses  and  rejoicing,"  he  muttered,  as  though  he 
had  heard  her  not. 


260  Hassan  :   a  Fellah 

She  lifted  her  eyes  deprecatingly  to  his  face,  but 
she  could  not  catch  his  averted  glance. 

"  And  soon  it  will  be  barley-harvest." 

"  Yea.     And  what  of  that  ?  "  he  said. 

"  Oh,  Hassan  !  And  hast  thou  forgotten  the  words  of 
Abd-el-nour  to  my  uncle  Ismael?  " 

He  roused  himself  with  an  effort,  and  drew  himself 
into  a  more  erect  posture. 

"  Nay.  That  could  not  well  be.  Didst  thou  think  I 
could  forget?"  Then,  as  though  he  were  recalling  and 
repeating  some  unpleasant  lesson,  he  went  on  in  a 
monotonous  key :  "  He  said  the  crop  of  roses  would  be 
abundant,  the  barley-harvest  early  and  good,  and,  count 
ing  what  the  lentils,  wheat,  olives,  grapes,  and  all  would 
bring  him,  together  with  what  he  already  had  saved, 
that,  by  the  time  the  doura  was  ripe  and  garnered,  he 
would  have  the  full  amount  he  had  promised  for  thee. 
Have  I  forgotten  aught  of  that  thou  didst  tell  me?" 

"  Verily  and  indeed  thou  hast  remembered  every 
word." 

A  strange  awe  rilled  her  at  his  rigid  manner. 

"  Oh,  Hihve,  little  dost  thou  know  how,  night  and  day, 
those  words  have  been  before  me !  How  I  have  broken 
my  heart  against  them  !  " 

"  Forgive  me  for  speaking  about  it,  and  if  I  have 
wronged  thee." 

"  Didst  thou  think  I  took  it  too  easily?  Or  didst  thou 
imagine  I  was  beginning  to  forget?  Too  heavy  would 
the  reproach  be  for  that.  If  I  have  leaped  like  a  wolf 
into  the  fold,  if  I  have  broken  through  like  a  thief  in  the 
night,  was  there  no  excuse  for  me?  And  even  then,  did 
I  take  aught  that  was  not  mine  own,  or  was  not  freely 
given  me?  Or  did  I  offend  against  custom  till  Nature 
cried  within  me  and  I  could  not  help  myself;  or  till  I 
had  tried  every  other  means  I  could  think  of,  without 
avail?  I  brought  peace-offerings,  and  spake  pleasant 
words  to  thy  kinsfolk.  And  my  daysman  —  never  man 
spake  sweeter  words  or  more  movingly  than  did  Chalil. 
But  they  put  their  ears  to  sleep.  They  would  not  listen. 
They  were  as  the  deaf  adder  that  will  not  hear  the  voice 
of  the  charmer,  charm  he  never  so  wisely.  They  re- 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  261 

warded  me  evil  for  good.     They  drove  us  forth  with 
curses  and  violence.     They  spilt  my  blood." 

"  It  is  true  !     It  is  true  !  " 

Hilwe's  head  dropped  on  her  breast  for  shame. 

"  The  evil  that  they  would  do  unto  me,  mayhap  it  will 
fall  upon  their  own  heads;  for  they  had  no  pity.  As  for 
me,  I  have  not  offended  against  my  nature.  But  if  I 
have  committed  wickedness  in  this  that  I  have  done  — 
though  I  cannot  think  that  I  have  —  then  let  me  be 
judged.  But  let  me  be  judged  by  Allah." 

As  Hassan,  drawn  up  to  his  full  height,  his  hand 
slightly  raised  heavenward,  solemnly  and  impressively 
spoke  these  words,  it  might  well  be  thought  next  to  im 
possible  for  any  one  beholding  him  and  gazing  in  his 
handsome  face  to  pronounce  him  guilty  of  any  deadly 
sin  or  malign  act.  The  entire  attitude  of  the  man  repelled 
the  idea. 

"  Thou  art  innocent  —  innocent  and  spotless  as  the 
daylight !  "  was  all  Hilwe  could  say  in  an  agony  of 
remorse. 

"  If  thou  hast  thought;  me  hard  to  thee,  Hilwe,  and  I 
may  have  been  hard  at  times,  it  was  not  through  unkind- 
ness,  it  was  because  of  my  love,  and  that  my  thoughts 
were  troubled  on  account  of  thee,  so  that  I  was  jealous, 
and  I  steeled  myself  to  face  what  might  be  coming,  and 
to  guard  thee  from  evil." 

"  O  Hassan,  I  have  done  wrong  and  misjudged  thee  !  " 
she  moaned.  "  But  I  never  would  have  spoken  were  it 
not  that  I  feared  the  worst  at  the  hands  of  my  kinsfolk. 
I  know  not  what  they  may  do,  they  are  so  cruel.  Ever 
since  Amne's  disappearance  they  have  looked  with  sus 
picion  upon  me  and  shown  me  no  favours,  but  acted 
bitterly  towards  me,  threatening  and  oppressing  me. 
My  life  may  be  in  danger.  The  people  of  Malha  are 
exasperated,  and  ready  for  any  mischief.  They  with 
Amne's  folk  questioned  me  closely,  and  took  me  before 
the  sheik,  thinking  I  had  concealed  the  truth ;  but  I  could 
only  repeat  what  I  had  told  thee.  How  could  I  know 
more  than  that?  Yet  they  do  not  believe.  Thou  know- 
est  how  I  have  suffered  about  Amne.  And  now  the 
sheik  is  wroth,  and  he  has  forbidden  even  the  old  women 


262  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

to  carry  water  into  Jerusalem.  Doubtless  thou  hast 
heard,  for  it  has  made  much  talk  and  trouble." 

"  Yea,  I  have  heard,  and  that  he  charges  the  old 
women  with  taking  backsheesh  to  betray  the  young  girls. 
It  looks  bad.  But  as  for  thy  people  putting  thy  life  in 
danger  —  I  cannot  believe  that." 

Then,  as  if  to  draw  Hilwe's  mind  from  the  graver  sub 
ject,  Hassan  continued  to  speak  of  the  water: 

"  They  say  the  people  of  Jerusalem  complained  to  the 
pasha  of  the  sheik  withholding  the  water,  but  received 
no  satisfaction,"  he  said.  "  It  is  a  good  thing  for  the 
people  of  Ain  Karim.  The  water  there  will  now  be  in 
greater  demand  than  ever;  and  also  the  sheiks  of  the 
Mosque  of  Omar  will  reap  goodly  profit  from  the  water 
of  the  '  Great  Sea,'  as  they  call  it,  and  the  other  vast  cis 
terns  under  the  pavement  of  the  sacred  inclosure.  So 
it  comes  to  pass  that  the  misfortunes  of  some  are  for  the 
benefit  of  others." 

"  It  seems  with  us  as  if  one  trouble  followed  upon 
another." 

"  It  is  even  so.  I  have  watched  and  waited,  hoping 
for  deliverance.  I  have  wasted  the  night  hours  trying  to 
think  out  and  find  some  opportunity  which  would  work 
to  our  advantage.  But  in  vain.  I  have  feared  harm  to 
thee  did  I  take  some  open  and  decided  step  before  the 
time  had  come.  Again  I  thought,  while  I  am  contriv 
ing  who  knows  what  Allah  hath  determined  in  our 
behalf?  " 

"  It  may  be  as  thou  sayest,"  she  replied.  "  Doubtless 
thou  art  right." 

"  Hast  thou  never  heard  of  what  happened  with  Azrael 
and  Suleyman?  " 

"Nay;  how  should  I  hear  it,  unless  thou  didst  tell  it 
me." 

"  Then  hearken,"  said  Hassan :  "  Azrael,  the  angel  of 
death,  in  an  assumed  visible  shape,  once  passing  by 
Suleyman,  and  looking  steadily  at  a  man  who  was  sitting 
with  the  king,  the  man  asked  who  it  was.  Whereupon 
Suleyman  informed  him  that  it  was  the  angel  of  death. 
'  He  seems  to  want  me,'  said  the  man,  alarmed.  '  I 
beseech  thee,  therefore,  order  the  wind  to  carry  me  from 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  263 

hence  into  India.'  This  accordingly  was  done,  for 
Suleyman,  the  wisest  of  men,  was  skilled  exceedingly  in 
magic  and  enchantment.  Then  Azrael,  turning  to  Suley 
man,  said :  '  I  looked  so  earnestly  at  the  man  out  of 
wonder;  because  I  was  commanded  to  take  his  soul  in 
India,  and  found  him  with  thee  in  Palestine.'  Thus  may 
it  not  be  so  with  us?  —  instead  of  bettering  matters,  may 
we  not  make  them  worse  by  meddling  with  them  ?  Have 
we  not  had  experience  of  this?  " 

"  The  story  is  a  profitable  one,"  said  Hilwe.  "  I  shall 
take  it  to  heart." 

"It  is  a  good  while  yet  till  the  doura  harvest,"  Hassan 
resumed.  "  By  that  time  I  would  have  laid  up  sufficient 
to  make  no  unworthy  present  to  thy  uncle;  and  then, 
when  all  was  told,  when  he  knew  all,  he  would  give  his 
consent,  and  Abd-el-nour  would  yield,  at  last  —  would 
be  obliged  to  give  thee  up." 

"  And  there  are  the  people  of  Bettir,"  she  said. 
"  They  would  have  to  be  pacified." 

"  True.  But  that  is  comparatively  as  nothing  —  an 
easy  task.  I  do  not  trouble  myself  with  it.  Between 
Chalil  and  the  sheik,  his  father,  I  hope  to  make  the  way 
smooth  and  peaceable." 

"  Pray  Allah  it  may  be  so." 

Then  Hassan's  eyes  brightened.  The  happy,  boyish 
look  returned  to  them  while  he  softly  smiled. 

"  Did  I  not  point  out  to  thee  from  afar  the  habitation 
of  my  father  and  of  my  mother  in  Bettir?  It  is  my  in 
heritance,  and  will  now  be  our  dwelling-place  —  mine 
and  thine,  even  as  it  has  been  theirs.  Shall  we  not  be 
happy  there,  Hilwe?" 

"  Surely,  surely.     Be  it  according  to  thy  word  !  " 

"  It  is  a  pleasant  place,"  he  continued,  with  the  easy 
transition  to  the  agreeable  and  acceptance  of  the  optim 
istic  natural  to  the  Oriental.  "  Pomegranates  and  figs 
to  thy  hand.  Grapes,  apricots,  melons,  almonds,  peaches, 
and  the  golden  quince  and  purple  mulberry  more  than 
you  can  gather;  besides  vegetables  of  every  kind  that 
can  be  mentioned.  There  are  not  such  gardens  in  all 
Palestine." 

"  Ah,  yes !  " 


264  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Hilwe's  heart  was  swelling  with  suppressed  emotion, 
and  this  was  all  she  could  say. 

"  Then  the  flocks  and  the  herds,  the  honey  dripping 
from  the  honey-comb,  the  olive  groves  and  the  fields  of 
grain,"  he  continued.  "  Well  may  it  be  called  a  land 
of  corn,  wine  and  oil,  and  flowing  with  milk  and  honey. 
And  the  water  springing  out  of  the  solid  rock !  Ah, 
that  is  something  to  boast  of!  Not  as  at  Malha,  where 
thou  hast  to  go  far  to  draw  it,  but  close  to  thy  very 
door ;  —  and  then  it  is  living  water,  fountains  of  water, 
cool  and  sweet." 

What  a  gentle,  loving,  genial  fellow  he  was,  and  how 
full  of  life  !  Carried  away  with  his  recital,  he  swayed 
his  body  to  and  fro,  and  he  laughed  fondly,  and  bent 
his  knees,  from  time  to  time,  suddenly  springing  them 
back,  quite  as  effectively  as,  and  much  more  naturally 
than  any  of  the  young  bloods  of  our  most  exclusive 
set,  after  their  manner,  when,  under  similar  impulses, 
yielding  themselves  to  the  fascinations  of  some  pleasant 
story. 

Man  is  man,  however  he  may  be  garbed,  to  whatever 
race  he  belongs,  in  whatsoever  station  he  may  be  found  ; 
he  cannot  conceal  his  sex;  and  his  nature  will  reveal 
and  declare  itself,  often  unconsciously,  and  spite  of 
circumstances. 

"Would  to  Allah  it  were  accomplished  !  " 

Passionate  tears  dimmed  Hilwe's  charmed  gaze  as 
she  spoke.  She  adored  him  more  than  ever  as  she 
looked  upon  him,  so  handsome,  so  strong,  so  kind,  and 
cared  for  nothing  but  his  love. 

"  It  will  all  come  in  good  time,  Hilwe.  Do  not  be 
disquieted  or  cast  down.  Two  hearts  united  can  remove 
a  mountain,  they  say.  Nor  needest  thou  think  thou 
shalt  be  lonely  at  Bettir,"  he  added,  misunderstanding 
her  tears,  and  with  the  obtuseness  of  man  when  dealing 
with  woman's  keener  sensibilities.  "Thou  soon  wilt  get 
familiar  with  the  women  of  the  village.  Moreover,  when 
thy  housework  is  done,  thou  canst  follow  me  to  the  field 
or  the  pasture,  and  we  shall  be  together,  and  I  shall  help 
thee,  as  before,  to  prepare  and  gather  the  fuel." 

The  reaction  caused  by  the  happy  pictures  Hassan 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  265 

had  presented,  were  too  much  for  Hilwe's  feelings.  The 
tears  ran  down  her  cheeks,  and  she  broke  into  a  fit  of 
sobbing. 

"  I  cannot  help  it,"  she  said  in  a  choking  voice. 

"  There,  there ;  weep  not.  Bismillah  —  in  the  name 
of  God,  let  me  comfort  thee.  Let  me  wipe  the  tears 
from  thine  eyes." 

Catching  up  the  drapery  of  her  headdress  he  wiped 
away  her  tears,  then  taking  her  in  his  arms,  he  tenderly 
embraced  her,  kissing  her  again  and  again. 

"  Is  not  a  lover  more  kind  than  a  father?"  he  asked. 
"  Am  I  not  better  to  thee  than  ten  husbands?  Do  I  not 
love  thee  more  and  better  than  any  one  else  could?  Let 
not  thy  heart  fail  thee.  Be  of  good  cheer.  All  will  yet 
be  well.  And  yet,  in  days  of  sweet  quiet  and  repose, 
we  shall  sit  beneath  our  own  vine  and  fig-tree." 


CHAPTER  XXII 

BY  this  time  the  soft  primrose-coloured  radiance  which 
flooded  all  the  horizon  behind  Malha  and  the 
hills  to  the  westward  began  to  fail  and  fade.  The  sun 
set,  that  at  its  high  tide  had  swept  over  the  banks  of 
day,  was  reluctantly  ebbing.  But  though  the  shades  of 
evening  were  fast  approaching,  Hassan  and  Hilwe  still 
lingered,  loath  to  part. 

Suddenly  on  the  clear,  still  air  rang  out  the  clang  of 
a  horse's  hoofs,  sounding  nearer  and  nearer  as  they 
smote  in  rapid  succession  upon  the  rocky  roadway. 
Hassan  and  Hilwe  arose,  and,  peering  into  the  distance, 
made  out  the  figure  of  a  single  horseman.  He  swung 
forward  at  a  furious  gait,  in  the  rhapsody  of  delight  of 
a  skilled  equestrian,  and  would  soon  be  near  at  hand. 
He  seemed  to  come  flying  on  the  wings  of  the  wind, 
out  of  the  sunset ;  and  the  cloud  of  dust  surrounding 
him  was  like  a  golden  mist  or  halo. 

As  he  came  up,  he  of  necessity  slackened  speed,  for 
the  road  was  very  rough  and  broken  at  that  place. 


266  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Catching  sight  of  Hilwe,  he  at  once  drew  rein,  and  made 
the  customary  salutation. 

"  Whom  have  we  here  ?  "  he  cried. 

Then,  with  the  perfection  of  ease,  flinging  himself 
from  his  Arab  mare,  he  made  pretence  to  tighten  the 
saddle-girth,  as  an  excuse  for  his  halt.  And  as  he  did 
so,  most  attractive  he  looked,  in  his  dark-blue  uniform 
turned  up  with  red. 

Hilwe  immediately  recognised  him  as  the  young  aga 
or  captain  of  zaptiehs  whom  Amne  and  she  had  met  in 
Jerusalem,  and  who,  with  that  peculiar  mingling  of 
badinage  and  egotism,  offensive  to  the  stately  religious 
conception,  had  given  his  name  as  Kiamil  or  "  Perfect " 
to  the  daughter  of  the  English  ecclesiastic. 

The  gay  captain  was  now  in  all  his  glory,  and  in  the 
full  exaltation  and  bravery  of  his  equipment,  which 
probably  no  one  could  appreciate  more  than  he  could. 
He  estimated,  without  doubt,  at  its  full  value,  the  effect 
produced  on  the  ordinary  mind  by  his  fine  figure  ar 
rayed  in  his  military  trappings  and  accoutrements. 

Slipping  the  bridle  over  his  arm,  with  a  word  of  en 
couragement  to  his  blooded  gray  mare,  he  left  the  road, 
and,  sword  by  side,  with  measured  step,  approached 
the  spot  where  Hilwe  stood. 

"  Ah,  I  perceive  thou  art  the  fair  damsel  whom  I  met 
in  Jerusalem  with  the  flowers !  " 

He  paused,  trying  to  recall  her  name.  Meanwhile  he 
had  fastened  the  mare  to  a  thorn-bush. 

Hilwe  did  not  attempt  to  reply,  but,  yielding  to  the 
feminine  weakness,  kept  her  eyes  fixed  on  the  superb 
specimen  of  the  genus  homo,  magnificent  in  his  closely- 
fitting  uniform,  the  glittering  buttons  and  gold  braid 
having  their  usual  effect  and  completing  the  result. 
Yet,  withal,  she  was  alarmed. 

"  Amne  ?  —  No,  Hilwe  !  Thou  perceivest  I  remember 
thee.  I  returned  that  day,  as  I  promised ;  but  could 
not  find  thee.  Thou  hadst  left." 

He  now  stood  opposite  to  her,  and  so  close  that  she 
felt  his  hot  breath  on  her  cheek;  and,  abashed,  she 
stepped  back  a  few  paces. 

"  There    is    no    need    thou    shouldst   be  afraid,  most 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  267 

comely  of  damsels.  I  shall  not  do  thee  harm.  That 
be  far  from  me.  Am  I  so  very  frightful  to  her  I 
love?  " 

As  he  spoke,  he  smilingly  followed  her,  which  brought 
him  face  to  face  with  Hassan,  who,  filled  with  inarticu 
late  rage,  had  thrust  himself  between. 

"And  who  art  thou?"  asked  the  baffled  aga,  who 
now  for  the  first  time  perceived  Hassan,  he  having 
hitherto  been  partly  hidden  in  the  shadow  of  the  rock 
under  which  he  stood,  and  the  gaze  of  the  young  zaptieh 
having  been  so  thoroughly  concentrated  upon  the  fair 
Hilwe  as  to  have  left  him  but  little  sight  for  aught  else. 

"I  might  rather  ask  who  thou  art;  and  why  thou 
breakest  in  upon  us  to  molest  us,"  was  the  natural  but 
impolitic  reply. 

Hassan  was  beside  himself  with  jealous  anger,  and 
forgot  the  respect  mingled  with  dread  which  the  peasant 
almost  invariably  has  for  the  zaptiehs  and  bashi- 
bazouks,  —  arrogant,  dangerous  people,  whom  he  would 
not  venture  to  treat  insolently.  The  nizam,  or  regular 
military  forces,  excite  no  such  fear  or  detestation  as  do 
those  marauding,  rapacious  irregulars. 

From  the  moment  the  young  officer  appeared  in 
Hassan's  sight,  not  a  single  movement  of  his  well- 
trained  and  handsomely-fashioned  limbs  escaped  the 
notice  of  the  young  shepherd,  to  whom  each  and  every 
one  of  those  elegant  postures  was  an  unspeakable  tor 
ture  and  insult.  His  brain  was  afire.  His  heart  was 
sore.  The  erect  centaur-like  display  —  horse  and  rider 
seemingly  one,  the  carelessly-easy  dismounting,  the 
studied  leaning  pose  in  tightening  the  girth,  the  debon 
air  manner  and  fascinating  stride  in  approaching  Hilwe 
with  sweet  words — oh,  the  insupportableness  of  it  all! 
It  was  maddening  —  detestable!  The  more  handsome 
the  captain  looked,  the  more  Hassan  hated  him.  That 
well-kept  pampered  body  was  at  once  a  reproach  and 
menace.  His  entire  presence  was  an  affront. 

The  first  impulse  of  the  zaptieh  was  to  resent  Has 
san's  attitude  and  words,  so  contrary  to  the  usually 
submissive  spirit  of  the  fellaheen  in  the  presence  of 
their  oppressive  tyrants.  But  the  young  officer  had,  on 


268  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

occasion,  the  useful  gift  of  being  cautious.  Doubtless 
it  was  of  selfish  origin.  This  made  him  hesitate  ;  while 
it  suddenly  flashed  through  his  mind  that  this  fellah 
would  not  have  dared  to  take  the  stand  he  did,  had 
he  not  some  of  his  people  near  at  hand  to  support 
him. 

"  Who  knows  what  those  rocks  conceal  ?  There  may 
be  a  band  of  his  followers  with  their  guns,  ready  to 
pick  me  off,  this  evening  in  this  lonely  place ;  and  no 
one  would  ever  get  at  the  bottom  of  it.  Or  they  might 
knock  out  my  brains,  and,  sending  my  horse  loose,  to 
find  her  way  home,  when  my  body  was  discovered,  make 
it  appear  I  had  been  killed  by  a  fall  from  her." 

This  rapid  reasoning  had  a  decidedly  sobering  effect 
upon  Kiamil  Aga,  especially  when  taken  into  considera 
tion  with  the  resolve,  which  was  really  uppermost  in  his 
mind  :  "  I  shall  not  fail  to  pay  him  off  for  this,  another 
time." 

So  the  discreet  and  dissolute  captain  smoothed  his 
ruffled  feathers,  while  he  moderated  his  speech.  Of 
course,  he  knew  the  game  was  up.  His  fire  was 
quenched. 

"  Mayhap  the  woman  is  thy  wife?  Thou  wilt  bear 
me  witness  that  I  did  not  know,"  was  his  conciliatory 
rejoinder. 

"  Though  she  were  my  wife,  what  is  that  to  thee?  " 

"  Forsooth,  everything.  Were  there  no  such  tie 
betwixt  ye,  might  I  not  avail  myself  of  it  to  share  the 
right  to  admire  her?  Desire  is  no  fault  in  the  young; 
or,  at  least,  it  is  pardonable." 

"  Thou  very  well  knowest  that  such  an  one  as  thou 
art  doth  not  mate  with  such  as  we  are." 

"And  why  not?  " 

"  Because  there  are  bounds  between,  which  cannot  be 
passed  ;  or,  if  passed,  not  without  danger." 

Hassan  ceased,  both  the  speakers  steadily  gazing  in 
each  other's  face. 

As  the  zaptieh  caught  the  clear  penetrating  glance  of 
those  wonderful  hazel  eyes  of  the  young  Shepherd,  he 
was,  on  the  instant,  strangely  moved.  Something  of 
Nature  stirred  within  him.  It  was  that  sign,  that  token 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  269 

of  kinship  which  makes  us  all  brethren,  whether  we 
acknowledge  it  or  not. 

From  the  first,  Hassan  had  held  out  his  hand,  repel 
ling  and  warding  off  the  zaptieh.  The  latter  now, 
with  fitful  impulse,  seized  it,  and  held  it  in  his  own. 

"  There,"  he  said,  "  let  us  not  quarrel  about  it.  I 
meant  thee  no  wrong.  We  are  both  young  men,  and 
should  understand  one  another.  Whatever  a  man  does 
who  is  afflicted  with  love,  he  is  to  be  excused  for  it, 
they  say." 

He  then  quoted  an  old  proverb  of  the  country,  more 
apt  than  nice. 

It  was  impossible  for  Hassan  to  resist  such  condescen 
sion  and  overture,  reinforced  with  the  accepted  wisdom 
of  the  land  in  the  shape  of  that  coarse  old  proverb. 
Those  so-called  "  perfumed  words  "  or  "  musk-words," 
such  as  had  been  used  by  the  aga,  but  which  we  are 
excused  from  giving,  are  generally  the  occasion  of 
establishing  good-humour  between  men,  breaking  up 
reserve,  and  seeming  to  place  them  on  an  equal  footing. 
The  handsome  giant  yielded.  How  could  he  do  other 
wise? 

"  Verily,  it  is  not  for  me  to  gainsay  thy  words,"  he 
said.  "Why  should  I  not  accept  them  in  peace?" 

It  was  done.  The  trouble  was  over,  at  least  for  the 
present,  to  all  outward  appearance. 

Many  of  these  turbulent  dissensions  in  the  East  are 
like  a  summer  squall,  rising  suddenly  without  much  pre 
monition,  raging  furiously  while  they  last,  but  passing, 
after  a  few  moments'  violence  and  threatening  of 
imminent  destruction,  leaving  the  sky  clearer  than 
before. 

It  was  now  growing  dusk.  There  was  no  time  to 
linger,  with  such  rough  riding  before  one.  The  zaptieh 
suddenly  remembered  that  he  had  appointed  a  rendez 
vous  with  his  men  at  the  Convent  of  the  Holy  Cross, 
where  they  might  gather,  so  as  to  enter  Jerusalem 
together  in  martial  array,  —  a  point  gratifying  to  his 
vanity,  and  which  he  always,  where  possible,  insisted  on. 
They  must  long  have  been  awaiting  his  coming. 

He  turned  and  unfastening  his  horse,  led  it  into  the 


270  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

road.  Twisting  his  fingers  in  the  flowing  mane,  he 
lightly  vaulted  into  his  seat  with  the  aplomb  of  the 
expert  horseman  that  he  was,  without  waiting  for  Has 
san,  who  came  up  offering  to  hold  the  stirrup. 

Once  mounted,  Kiamil  felt  an  immediate  exaltation 
—  an  access  of  his  confidence,  his  courage  and  superior 
ity.  Again  their  relative  positions  were  defined.  He 
was  the  proud  Kiamil  Aga  once  more ;  Hassan  the 
despised  fellah.  It  rankled  in  his  breast  to  think  that 
this  miserable  peasant  had  thwarted  him  —  had  got  the 
better  of  him.  He,  the  Osmanli,  the  zaptieh,  the  aga, 
to  be  humbled,  —  and  that  in  a  love-affair,  —  and  by  a 
fellah !  He  could  not  forget  it.  It  touched  him  where 
he  felt  the  keenest  —  where  the  sensitiveness  of  such  a 
man  as  he  was  chiefly  resided.  Looking  down  at  him 
from  his  lofty  position,  he  muttered,  under  his  breath, 
the  words : 

"When  the  snake's  hour  of  death  comes,  he  goes 
upon  the  highway." 

Hassan  heard  not  the  words,  but  he  saw  the  look, 
and  he  remembered  it. 

The  aga  had  commenced  to  ride  off,  when  something 
seemed  to  occur  to  him.  It  was  with  him  even  as  the 
Orientals  say:  "If  a  bad  man  would  repent  and  reform, 
his  lust  will  not  permit  him."  He  returned  to  where  he 
had  left  the  young  shepherd  standing  and  looking  after 
him. 

"  What  is  thy  name?  "  he  asked. 

"  Hassan." 

"  And  the  village  where  thou  dwellest?" 

"  Bettir." 

"  H'm.     It  is  well." 

The  next  moment  the  aga  struck  spurs  into  his  horse, 
and  the  noble  animal,  responding  to  the  unnecessary 
pressure,  sprang  forward  with  grandly-lengthened  stride 
into  the  evening  shadows. 

The  aga's  legs  clasped  tightly  her  heated  swelling  sides 
in  order  to  keep  his  seat.  His  blood  boiled.  He  gave 
loose  to  his  depravity,  and  unpent  himself.  A  torrent  of 
lava-like  words  burst  from  his  lips.  Again  and  again  he 
sent  the  cruel  rowels  upward,  till  they  entered  the  flesh 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  271 

of  the  beautiful  creature.  It  seemed,  in  some  sort,  a 
gratification  of  the  fierce  passion  that  raged  in  him  to 
do  this,  and  to  feel  her  rise  and  plunge  beneath  him  at 
their  touch  —  she  who  would  have  obeyed  with  pleasure 
his  slightest  word. 

The  blood  stained  her  dappled  skin  that  glistened 
like  velvet.  Her  sweat  mingled  with  it.  The  breath 
of  her  nostrils  was  as  smoke.  Her  muscles  and  veins 
stood  out  like  cords.  She  was  driven  to  the  utmost. 
But  still  her  slender  tapering  legs  went  out  with  regular 
rhythmic  motion,  sure  and  certain,  as  if  she  flew  over  the 
ground  without  touching  it. 

"  I  am  on  fire  of  Sheol,"  he  said.  "  And  to  think 
that  miserable  dog  should  come  between  me  and  my 
pleasure  !  I  ought  to  have  killed  him." 

He  cursed  and  swore,  drunk  and  maddened  with  the 
rage  of  his  disappointment. 

"  They  may  say  what  they  like,"  he  said,  "  but  love 
is  the  same  with  desire ;  or,  if  it  is  not,  I  know  nothing 
about  it." 

He  took  no  thought,  in  his  wild  riot,  of  the  hollows 
and  broken  places  in  the  way.  Many  a  time  his  brains 
would  have  been  dashed  out,  had  it  not  been  for  his 
mare's  sure-footedness,  preserved  under  such  trying 
cdds. 

Her  intently  staring  eyes,  piercing  the  darkness,  saw 
what  he  could  not  see. 

"  Poor  fellow,"  she  thought,  "  he  does  not  perceive ; 
he  cannot  know.  But  I  can  see  and  know  for  him.  I 
am  his  good  genius,  and  like  his  wife." 

She  believed  in  him;  she  loved  him — that  was  the 
beautiful  part  of  it  —  and  often  had  she  risked  her  life 
for  him. 

He,  too,  loved  her,  and,  in  general,  did  not  abuse  her. 
But  now  the  besottedly  bestial  appetite  in  him  stirred 
him  to  his  unholy  depths,  and  made  him  unworthy  of 
her  and  of  the  image  he  bore. 

Still  he  drove  the  spurs  into  her  with  the  sensual  fury 
of  a  satyr. 

"  It  is  a  case  of  life  and  death,"  she  thought.  "  I 
must  carry  him  swiftly  and  surely.  He  rides  for  his 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

life.     It  is  in  jeopardy.     Everything  depends   on    me. 
But  I  shall  save  him." 

When  they  came  toward  the  end  of  the  valley,  to  the 
place  where  the  torrents  of  centuries  of  "  rainy-seasons" 
had  washed  away  every  particle  of  soil,  and  left  the 
entire  road-bed  a  mass  of  huge  cobble-stones  inter 
spersed  with  boulders,  she  knew  they  must  hold  up, 
and  go  slowly,  or  be  dashed  to  pieces.  Even  in  the 
daylight  no  living  creature  of  her  kind  could  pass 
unhurt  through  that  horrible  experience  without  the 
greatest  care.  It  was  now  pitch  dark.  Cautiously  the 
sagacious  animal  steered  her  way;  not  without  many 
a  slip;  but  she  always  recovered  herself,  and  saved 
herself  from  the  worst,  never  so  entirely  losing  her 
footing  as  not  to  be  able  to  regain  it.  On  reaching  the 
end  of  the  dangerous  defile,  she  gave  a  snort  of  relief 
and  satisfaction,  and  prepared  to  ascend  the  slope. 

"It  went  hard  with  me;  but  I  am  over  the  worst," 
she  thought. 

Turning  a  bend  in  the  road,  they  saw  a  light.  It 
proceeded  from  a  fire  which  his  men  had  made,  for  the 
comfort  of  it,  to  keep  off  the  chill  of  the  evening  air, 
and  also  as  a  guide  for  their  captain,  so  that  he  might 
the  easier  find  the  place  in  the  darkness. 

At  a  few  paces  farther,  there  loomed  up  before  them, 
magnified  by  the  broad  effect  of  the  massed  shadows 
and  the  reflected  firelight,  the  huge  bulk  of  the  Convent 
of  the  Holy  Cross. 

It  resembled  a  mediaeval  stronghold   rather  than  a 
peaceful  monastic  institution,  and,  like  many  another  re 
ligious  building  in  Palestine,  has  the  appearance  of  hav 
ing  been  built  to  resist  a  siege  —  defence  against  violent 
entrance  being  a  necessary  precaution  in  the  days  in 
which  they  were  erected.     Around  it,  and  especially  in  ' 
the  rear  of  the  convent,  where  the  clay  soil,  the  accum-  j 
ulated  washing  of  the  hills,  is  red,  and  rich  to  fatness, 
rise  up,  terrace  above  terrace,  abundant  and  well-kept 
olive-groves.     These   and    other   fruit-trees    caught  the 
light   on   their  plumy  branches,  showing  like  burning  I 
bushes  against  the  blackness  of  the  night. 

Within  the  pile  of  buildings  is  the  chapel,  which,  tra- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  273 

dition  says,  covers  the  spot  where  grew  the  accursed 
tree  from  which  the  cross  was  made  upon  which  Christ 
was  crucified.  The  place  belongs  to  the  Greek  Church, 
and  has  long  been  held  in  pious  veneration;  and  upon 
the  walls  and  pillars  of  the  chapel,  with  its  rude  and 
broken  pavement,  are  depicted,  in  fresco,  the  figures, 
hideously  gaunt,  of  many  a  saint  and  holy  man,  the 
most  of  them  being  evidently  reduced  to  the  last  stages 
of  mythical  ascetic  emaciation  —  indeed  seeming  to  be 
almost  walking  skeletons,  pitiable  to  behold  even  in 
effigy. 

But  their  brethren  of  to-day  afford  no  such  evidences 
of  austerity.  It  is  far  otherwise  with  them,  —  though, 
on  this  occasion  they  keep  quite  invisible,  close  within 
their  walls,  not  venturing  to  show  themselves  to  the 
zaptiehs,  those  irreverent  and  dangerous  fellows.  Door 
and  gate  are  securely  locked  and  barred,  while  the 
long-haired  monks,  in  their  high  hats  and  black  sweep 
ing  robes,  keep  watch  from  their  lofty  windows. 

The  men  had  gathered  around  the  fire,  joking  and 
laughing,  and,  in  the  absence  of  the  aga,  addressing 
each  other  as  "  Aga,"  after  their  wont ;  and  not  scrupling 
to  speculate  in  decidedly  ribald  terms  as  to  what  adven 
ture  had  detained  their  captain. 

But  when  he  rode  up  among  them,  all  this  was  soon 
changed.  A  glance  at  his  face  told  them  he  was  in  no 
mood  to  be  trifled  with.  Each  man  sought  his  horse 
where  he  had  picketed  it,  and  silently  prepared  to 
mount.  After  a  short  pause  and  a  few  words  of  in 
quiry,  he  gave  the  word  of  command,  and  with  more 
or  less  promptness  all  of  them  were  in  their  saddles. 

It  was  astonishing  to  see  the  action  of  the  Arab  mare 
from  the  moment  that  she  came  up,  and  found  herself 
with  the  rest  of  the  troop.  Grievously  taxed  as  she 
had  been  all  day,  especially  severe  as  had  been  her 
handling  in  the  last  miles  of  the  journey,  her  pride 
asserted  itself,  and,  though  almost  worn  out  and  ready 
to  drop,  she  tossed  her  head  and  arched  her  neck, 
blowing  the  foam  from  her  nostrils,  switching  her  tail, 
pawing  the  ground  and  curvetting,  as  if  she  was  not  the 
least  tired,  but  was  ready  and  fresh  for  another  run. 

18 


274  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Her  aristocratic  blood  was  stirred.  It  was  as  if  she 
said : 

"  It  would  never  do  to  let  those  inferior-bred  things  — 
those  scrubs  —  see  me  blown  and  used  up.  I  would 
rather  die  first." 

That  was  how  the  high-spirited  creature  felt.  It 
deceived  her  master.  It  would  have  deceived  any  one. 

"  How  many  thousands  of  ants,  beetles,  flies  and 
grubs  I  have  crushed  to  death  under  my  hoofs  during 
this  ride !  "  she  thought.  "  Who  knows  or  cares  any 
thing  about  them?  They  were  made  to  be  stepped  on. 
What  is  their  life  to  us?  What  is  life,  anyway?  Who 
knows?  I  only  know  that  I  am  a  blooded  mare  of  the 
desert.  That  is  enough  to  know.  I  am  of  importance." 

It  was  the  philosophy  of  Louis  XIV.  in  a  horse. 

She  had  one  other  trial  to  endure  before  the  day  was 
ended,  and  that  was  the  climb  up  the  heights  in  front 
of  the  convent.  The  summit  formed  the  dividing  ridge, 
separating  the  waters  that  emptied  into  the  Mediter 
ranean  from  those  which  emptied  by  way  of  the  Gihon 
and  Cedron  valleys  into  the  Dead  Sea.  Here  the  road, 
if  such  it  may  be  called,  went  up  the  face  of  the  rocky 
precipice,  steps  being  cut  into  the  steep  acclivity,  so 
that  it  resembled  a  rough  and  bulging  staircase  strewn 
with  stones  and  boulders. 

The  aga,  from  necessity,  gave  the  mare  her  head, 
laying  the  bridle  on  her  neck.  The  darkness  rendered 
the  ascent  doubly  dangerous.  But  the  sure-footed 
mare  carried  the  aga  safely  through,  though  several 
of  his  men  came  to  grief,  some  receiving  bad  falls 
before  reaching  the  top. 

After  this  horror,  the  road,  though  still  bad,  seemed 
comparatively  easy. 

Ahead,  they  soon  began  to  see,  at  intervals,  the  lights 
of  Jerusalem  dimly  gleaming  in  the  distance.  They  were 
approaching  the  abrupt  descent  into  the  Gihon  Valley. 

As  they  passed  the  tall  windmill  on  the  left,  a  promi 
nent  landmark,  Kiamil  Aga  called  one  of  his  troopers 
to  his  side,  entering  into  conversation  with  him  in  a  low 
tone.  He  was  the  young  man  of  about  his  own  age 
named  Assad,  whom  we  have  already  met,  and  who, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  275 

having  proved  useful  to  him  on  more  than  one  occasion, 
when  involved  in  difficulties,  had  become  a  favourite  of 
his  in  consequence.  Through  the  influence  of  Kiamil, 
Assad  had  been  promoted;  and  now  they  were  more 
than  ever  together. 

"  Assad,"  presently  said  the  Aga,  "  dost  thou  know 
a  fellah  of  the  name  of  Hassan?  " 

"  How  should  I  know  the  man  thou  meanest,  Aga?" 

Assad  accompanied  his  reply  with  the  usual  sugges 
tive  click  of  the  tongue  and  backward  movement  of  the 
head,  conveying  the  impossibility  of  his  possessing  the 
desired  information. 

"  But  hearken,  Assad.  It  is  important.  I  am  anxious 
to  know,  and  I  am  sure  thou  canst  tell  me." 

"  How  can  that  be?" 

"Now,  hold  thy  peace,  while  I  show  thee  —  till  I  de 
scribe  him  whom  I  mean.  He  is  a  young  man;  his 
name  is  Hassan,  as  I  have  told  thee ;  and  he  dwells  at 
Bettir.  He  is  tall,  uncommonly  tall  and  large,  and 
well-built.  If  I  mistake  not,  he  is  a  shepherd.  Thou 
hast  been  much  in  that  part  of  the  country  of  late. 
Thou  shouldst  know  him." 

"  Verily,  Aga,  thou  speakest  truth.     I  know  him  well." 

"  Now,  what  canst  thou  tell  me  of  him?  " 

"  He  is  a  man  of  Bettir,  young  and  well-favoured, 
and  has  kept  the  accounts  for  the  sheik.  And,  again 
thou  art  right,  Aga,  he  keeps  sheep." 

"  Is  he  married?  " 

"  No  more  than  thou  art,  or  than  I  am,  Aga." 

"What  dost  thou  mean?" 

"  Surely,  that  should  be  known  to  thee,  Aga." 

Assad  laughed  low  and  deep.  It  was  the  mellow 
chuckle  of  a  man  who  can  afford  to  be  familiar  with  his 
superior,  and  who  feels  he  has  said  something  good  or 
telling,  and  enjoys  what  he  has  said. 

"  Nay,  speak  plainly.  We  want  no  parables.  Is  he 
married?" 

"  He  is  not  married." 

"  There !  " 

"  Though  that,  doubtless,  has  been  no  hindrance  to 
him." 


276  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"And  is  that  all  thou  canst  tell  me  of  him?  Hast 
thou  had  no  trouble  with  him?  Have  the  taxes  been 
paid  on  the  land  and  trees,  the  sheep  and  cattle?  Has 
he  resisted  or  evaded?  Or  hast  thou  aught  to  com 
plain  of  him?  " 

"Nay,  forsooth,  I  have  no  more  against  him  than 
against  others." 

"  Thou  hast  evil  to  complain  of  him,  then." 

"  For  that  matter,  all  are  in  one  condition.  All  are 
naked  in  one  bath,  as  they  say.  They  are  all  alike.  One 
is  as  bad  as  another.  They  are  quick  to  resist  and  evade, 
if  possible.  It  is  their  nature.  They  hide  their  flocks 
and  herds  in  caves  when  they  learn  we  are  coming. 
Even,  as  thou  knowest,  some  of  the  more  obstinate  of 
them  have  cut  down  their  olive-trees  rather  than  have 
to  pay  the  tax.  The  people  of  Bettir  are  not  worse  than 
those  of  other  villages  on  this  side.  They  who  give  us 
the  worst  trouble  are  in  the  country  beyond  —  the  men 
of  Hebron.  They  are  possessed  of  Shaitan ;  they  are 
full  of  the  very  devil." 

"  Assad,  I  asked  thee  for  testimony  against  this  man 
Hassan ;  and  lo,  thou  speakest  in  his  favour.  Yet  hast 
thou  said  enough  to  convict  him.  What  though  others 
are  as  bad  as  he  is,  that  does  not  excuse  his  evil-doing. 
And  I  am  determined  to  make  an  example  of  some  of 
those  people.  Why  should  it  not  be  he?  He  deserves 
it  for  his  insolence  to  me  this  day." 

The  compliant  Assad  at  once  perceived  what  was 
expected  of  him. 

"  Excuse  me,  Aga;  I  did  not  understand.  Doubtless 
it  is  as  thou  sayest.  He  is  worthy  of  punishment.  It 
can  be  proved." 

"  Now  thou  speakest  sensibly,  and  after  mine  own 
heart.  I  tell  thee,  the  dog's  death  approaches  when  he 
defiles  the  mosque ;  and  when  the  hour  of  the  game  is 
come,  it  runs  in  the  way  of  the  hunter." 

They  had  now  crossed  the  Gihon  into  the  main  road, 
by  way  of  the  ancient  aqueduct,  which  carries  the  water 
from  Solomon's  pools  into  the  Temple  Enclosure ;  and 
the  entire  troop  of  zaptiehs,  falling  into  order,  pushed 
on  more  briskly  as  they  ascended  the  west  flank  of 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  277 

Zion's  Hill,  the  battlements  of  Jerusalem  with  the  frown 
ing  citadel,  spectral-like  in  the  semi-darkness,  rising 
high  above  them  on  the  right,  a  few  scattered  olive-trees 
relieving  the  severity  of  the  slopes. 

As  they  drew  near  the  Jaffa  Gate,  Kiamil  Aga,  who 
had  kept  the  useful  Assad  beside  him,  turned  to  him 
confidentially,  speaking  in  so  low  a  voice  no  one  else 
heard. 

They  smiled  significantly,  each  into  the  other's  face. 
They  were  fitting  associates.  Assad  nodded  his  head 
acquiescently;  and  Kiamil  added: 

"  Come  to  my  quarters  to-night.  I  would  speak 
with  thee  further  about  this  matter." 

"  I  am  at  thy  disposition,  Aga." 

"  Thou  knowest  the  old  proverb :  '  I  have  only  one 
heart  and  many  desires ;  to  which  of  them  shall  I  give 
that  heart?'  ' 

Assad  laughed. 

"  Right  well  do  I  know  it." 

As  the  aga  turned  aside  he  muttered. 

"  Desire  is  the  same  as  love.  Or  if  it  is  not,  it  is 
much  to  be  blamed." 


CHAPTER   XXIII 

WHEN  Kiamil  Aga,  the  smooth  and  vain  captain 
of  zaptiehs,  in  all  the  glory  of  his  martial  trap 
pings,  had  departed,  after  his  short  but  animated  inter 
view  with  Hassan  and  Hilwe,  near  Malha,  he  left  behind 
him  a  disturbed  and  unhappy  condition  in  the  relations 
of  the  lovers,  due  to  his  advent  on  the  scene.  His  was 
a  malign  influence. 

It  was  impossible   for  a  man  like   Hassan,  with  his 

sensitiveness    on   the   subject,  to    overlook   the    undue 

familiarity   with    Hilwe    of  the   sultry-souled    aga,   and 

I  especially,  his  knowledge  of  her,  and  his  reference  to 

their  having  met  previously  in  Jerusalem. 

The  latter  was  the  more  damaging  circumstance,  as  it 
had  so  happened  that  in  all  that  had  been  said  con- 


Hassan:  a  Fellah 

nected  with  Amne's  disappearance,  Hilwe  had  made 
no  mention  of  Kiamil  Aga's  presence.  She  had  con 
sidered  it  as  a  subordinate  incident  of  the  unfortunate 
affair,  or  as  being  not  actually  related  to  it.  But  now 
all  that  poor  Hilwe  could  say  in  explanation  failed  to 
disabuse  Hassan's  mind  of  the  disagreeable  impression 
it  had  received. 

"  There  is  neither  patience  in  the  heart  of  a  lover  nor 
water  in  a  sieve,"  says  the  Eastern  proverb. 

He  broke  out  into  violent  language,  upbraiding  her, 
using  Amne's  fall  as  an  ensample,  a  case  in  point,  and 
reminding  her  of  the  advice  and  warning  he  had  given 
her.  He  could  not  contain  himself. 

He  had  used  words  considered  inadmissible  in  that 
land  —  words,  once  spoken,  not  easily  recalled.  They 
parted  in  anger. 

"  Truly,  love  is  the  cause  of  a  thousand  suspicions ; 
and  jealousy  is  the  rage  of  a  man,"  murmured  Hilwe, 
in  the  suffering  she  had  to  endure  in  secret. 

Hassan's  heart  was  sore  within  him.  He  had  spoken 
unadvisedly  with  his  lips,  but  his  stubborn  will  and 
rampant  heat  would  not  permit  him  to  confess  it.  He 
longed  with  an  unutterable  longing  for  Hilwe.  But  his 
pride  had  him  in  strong  possession,  and  would  not  let 
him  give  way.  He  would  not  take  back  what  he  had  said. 

During  the  last  days  of  the  rose  harvest,  he  lingered 
about  the  neighbouring  hills,  from  where  he  could  see 
her  in  the  distance.  He  haunted  the  place.  He  could 
not  help  it,  though  despising  himself  for  it. 

He  tried  to  persuade  himself  that  he  was  in  the  right, 
—  that  his  anger  towards  her  was  just ;  thus,  only  add 
ing  to  his  distress  and  pain. 

Even  the  rejoicings  of  the  Malhaites  over  the  unusual 
earliness  of  the  rose  harvest  and  the  abundance  and 
fineness  of  the  flowers,  were  offensive  to  him ;  and  it 
stung  him  to  the  quick  that  Hilwe  should  participate, 
though  he  knew  well  she  had  no  choice  in  the  matter, 
but  must  be  there  to  do  her  share  in  the  work.  Yet 
such  is  the  unreasonableness  of  a  man  whose  heart  is 
gnawed  by  jealousy,  and  who  does  not  know  how  to 
get  what  he  wants,  and  have  his  own  way. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


279 


Despite  his  angry  feelings  that  would  not  let  him  see 
it,  it  was  a  rarely  lovely  sight  —  that  wide  sweep  of 
freshly-opened  blossoms.  The  great  piles  of  the  crim 
son  flowers  grew  pyramidally  larger  as,  in  the  cool  of  the 
early  morn,  the  maidens  emptied  the  fragrant  contents 
of  their  baskets  on  them,  amid  the  vines,  and  under  the 
shade  of  the  olive-trees. 

The  men  helped,  or  acted  as  guards.  And  as  they 
worked  and  gathered  the  blooms,  they  all  sang  together 
a  quaint  old  song  of  the  place,  in  praise  of  the  rose. 
They  called  it  "The  Chaunt  of  the  Rose." 

The  air  in  its  primitive  setting  had,  in  its  monoto 
nous  motive,  abrupt  rhythm  and  crude  simplicity,  a 
strange  resemblance  to  the  Wedding  Song  in  Wagner's 
"  Lohengrin."  The  words  caught  from  this  fantastic 
melody  a  magic  perfume  and  a  fine  rare  colour  like  a 
reflected  rosy  glow. 


THE   CHAUNT   OF  THE   ROSE. 

Fair  is  the  rose, 
Born  out  of  heaven ; 
No  other  flower 
Is  like  unto  her. 
See  how  she  sits, 
High  on  her  throne, 
Serenely  august, 
The  Queen  of  the  World. 
Smile  of  the  morn, 
Light  of  the  dusk, 
Long  hath  she  worn, 
Warm  in  her  breast, 
The  last  blush  of  the  sun 
As  he  sinketh  to  rest, 
Kissing  the  one 
He  loveth  the  best. 
Sweeter  than  musk, 
Or  spikenard  most  rare, 
Or  cassia  from  far, 
Is  the  breath  of  her  lips. 
The  branch  of  the  rose, 
Wherever  it  grows  — 
Wherever  it  blows, 
Is  always  a  rose  — 
Is  always  a  rose. 


280  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

The  song  was  meant  (perhaps  only  in  a  blind,  inco 
herent,  half-felt  way)  to  typify  the  blooming  of  the 
flower.  At  first,  there  was  no  semblance  of  rhyme ; 
then  dawned  a  faint  hint  of  it;  after,  came  imperfect 
rhyme,  then  the  perfect  form,  finally  bursting  into  the 
luxuriant,  lavish,  superabundant  display  of  it  —  the  full 
blown  rose. 

The  last  verses  formed  the  refrain,  and  they  were 
invariably  carolled  more  loudly,  and  by  all  the  combined 
voices,  with  evident  gusto,  and  much  clapping  of  hands 
and  posturising. 

The  strains  floated  up  to  Hassan,  softened  and  sweet 
ened  by  the  distance.  How  pleasant  and  gladsome 
they  had  once  been  in  his  ears ;  but  now  he  heard 
them  with  a  pang.  They  brought  him  many  memories  ; 
for  it  is  the  habit  of  the  people  of  Palestine  to  sing  at 
their  work.  Even  labourers  in  excavating,  and  carrying 
off  the  rubbish  in  their  collapsable  straw  baskets,  or 
masons  in  building  a  house  or  a  wall,  have  their  own 
peculiar  songs,  more  or  less  archaic  and  quaint,  which 
they  sing  or  troll,  to  aid  them  in  their  work,  in  a  way 
often  more  like  intoning  than  singing. 

Others  of  these  lyrical  efforts  are  Laments.  These 
may,  some  of  them,  in  their  original  form,  be  as  old  as 
the  times  of  Saul  and  Jonathan,  a  fragment  of  whose 
elegy,  with  that  grand  refrain :  "  How  are  the  mighty 
fallen !  "  written  by  David,  is  found  in  the  Second  Book 
of  Samuel;  the  entire,  entitled  "The  Bow,"  being  con 
tained  in  the  lost  Book  of  Jasher,  not  likely  now  to  be 
recovered. 

With  what  hungry  eyes  Hassan  watched  the  women 
of  Malha,  in  hopes  of  catching  a  stray  glimpse  of  Hilwe. 
The  figures  of  the  men  and  women,  clapping  their 
hands,  as  they  passed  in  and  out  among  the  grape 
vines  and  rose-bushes,  the  olive-trees  and  pomegran 
ates,  made  an  animated  and  attractive  picture.  The 
tall  hawthorn-trees  lining  the  roadsides  were  sheeted 
with  creamy-white  blossom,  in  fine  contrast  to  the  car 
mine  of  the  Provence  and  damask  roses,  the  rich  warm 
scent  of  which,  graciously  saturating  the  air,  ascended 
to  mingle  with  the  cool  fragrance  of  the  hawthorn. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  281 

Whiffs  of  perfumed  breezes  were  wafted  to  the  disconso 
late  young  man,  who,  eating  his  own  heart,  did  not  let 
himself  enjoy  them  or  anything  else,  he  was  so  miser 
able.  He  saw  Hilwe's  uncle  Ismail  and  the  hateful 
Abd-el-nour  exultantly  gathering  in  the  spoils  of  the 
harvest,  and  was  wroth. 

Kadra,  with  her  usual  penetration,  had  noticed  Hilwe's 
dejection,  and  surmised  the  cause.  She  also  had  seen 
something  of  Hassan's  actions,  which  confirmed  her 
suspicions.  A  few  adroit  questions  drew  the  secret  of 
the  jealous  trouble  from  Hilwe. 

"  Kadra,  I  am  sick  to  death  about  it." 

Then  Kadra  overflowed  with  advice.  Of  course,  she 
offered  her  mediation. 

"  When  we  get  the  last  of  these  roses  into  Jerusalem, 
I  shall  find  opportunity  to  see  him,"  she  said.  "  He 
loves  thee,  or  he  would  not  be  jealous  of  thee.  Did 
he  not  love  thee,  he  would  not  mind  such  a  matter  as 
that." 

They  had  to  be  most  careful  in  their  conversation, 
that  they  might  not  be  overheard.  Abd-el-nour  and 
Hilwe's  uncle  were  constantly  present,  in  the  grounds. 
But  as  they  came  and  went,  watching  the  handling  of 
the  roses,  Kadra  managed  to  convey  to  Hilwe  many  a 
word  of  encouragement. 

It  was  strange  how  the  old  village  gossip  had  taken 
up  the  cause  of  these  two  young  people,  and  how  it  had 
enlisted  her  sympathies,  and,  to  some  extent,  changed 
her  character,  or  rather  called  forth  the  best  that  was 
in  her. 

"But,  for  that  matter,  why  not  go  to  him  thyself?" 
she  said  to  Hilwe.  "  He  is  a  comely  and  brave  man, 
and  he  loves  thee.  Why  not  speak  to  him  the  sweet 
words  thou  art  wont  to  say  to  him.  A  pleasant  voice 
brings  the  snake  out  of  its  hole ;  and  the  poisonous 
adder  is  charmed  with  music.  His  heart  will  incline 
:o  thee  when  he  sees  thee." 

But  Hilwe's  courage  failed  her;  she  did  not  know 
vhy.  And  then  there  was  so  much  connected  with  the 
•ose  harvest  demanding  her  time  and  attention,  she 
elt  she  must  wait  till  it  was  over. 


282  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

For  all  that,  she  probably  would  have  obeyed  her 
heart's  promptings  and  gone  to  Hassan,  had  she  not 
been  so  closely  watched.  There  were  too  many  ene 
mies  present  to  permit  her  to  carry  out  her  purpose 
unobserved. 

In  the  evenings  the  women  performed  the  shawl 
dance ;  and  then  the  sword  dance,  in  which  they  gave 
the  penetrating  ear-splitting  war-cry,  —  "  El-el-el-loo  "  — 
used  in  the  battle  to  incite  the  men  to  the  charge, 
and  stimulate  them  to  more  active  and  deadly 
combat. 

Hassan  was  outside  it  all.  He,  the  great  strong 
son  of  the  soil,  had  no  place  in  the  sports.  Though 
he  saw  the  flash  and  heard  the  reports  of  the  men's 
guns  in  the  "fantasia,"  as  their  horses  plunged  forward 
in  the  mimic  encounter,  he  was  a  prohibited  element. 

As  the  shades  of  evening  gathered  more  thickly, 
Hassan's  desires  and  anxieties  became  too  much  for 
him.  He  could  not  keep  away. 

"I  am  a  fool,"  he  said. 

Something  compelled  and  drew  him  to  the  place. 
He  could  not  help  it.  He  slipped  from  rock  to  rock 
and  from  tree  to  tree,  till  at  length  he  was  on  forbidden 
ground  —  in  the  enemy's  country.  He  stood  concealed 
behind  a  huge  fig-tree  fronted  with  pomegranate  shrubs 
and  rose-bushes. 

He  was  now  very  near  the  revellers,  and  could  hear 
Hilwe's  voice  and  see  her  distinctly.  The  young 
man's  heart  throbbed  and  plunged  and  swelled  within 
him  as  he  saw  her  mingle  with  the  various  groups. 

How  beautiful  she  looked !  None  of  the  daughters 
of  Malha  or  Bettir  compared  with  her. 

"But  she  thinks  not  of  me,"  he  said.  "  I  must  stand 
here  concealed,  like  a  contemptible  fellow,  not  daring 
to  show  myself,  while  they  make  merry  with  her." 

This  filled  him  with  darkness,  jealousy,  and  rage, 
—  the  thunder  and  lightning  of  the  soul. 

There  were  moments  when,  in  spite  of  the  folly  of 
it,  he  would  have  broken  out  upon  them,  had  not  better 
thoughts  prevailed. 

At  the  close  he  saw  them  lead  Hilwe  forward,  with 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  283 

exultation  and  clapping  of  hands,  and  loud  cheers,  as 
they  brought  in  the  last  basket  of  roses. 

They  had  made  ropes  and  chains  of  the  crimson 
flowers  which  they  twined  around  her,  and  on  her  head 
was  a  smaller  basket,  like  a  crown,  filled  with  the 
finest  of  the  blossoms,  which,  overflowing,  mingled 
with  her  hair,  and  hung  down  upon  her  neck.  She 
was  the  Queen  of  the  Flowers. 

Again  they  sang  the  "  Chaunt  of  the  Rose,"  as  they 
danced  around  her  and  led  her  to  her  throne,  with 
admiring  cries,  amid  showers  of  roses.  They  seated 
her  by  a  bonfire  which  they  had  built,  so  that  Hassan 
beheld  her  more  plainly  than  ever. 

The  young  man,  shaken  with  his  passion,  stretched 
out  to  her  his  hands  with  vehement  gesture.  He  flung 
himself  upon  the  ground,  and  hid  his  face,  tortured  to 
madness.  His  love  had  conquered  him. 

But  the  flame  of  the  bonfire  soon  died  out;  and 
they  all  departed,  leaving  him  alone  in  the  darkness. 

He  could  hear  their  shouts  of  joy,  and  he  watched 
the  gleam  of  their  torches,  as  they  went  upon  their 
winding  way,  up  the  tell  to  Malha. 

At  last  the  rose  harvest  was  over. 

"It  has  come  early,  and  not  lasted  long,"  the  people 
said,  wishing  it  had  been  twice  as  long. 

Only  here  and  there,  a  straggling  late  bloomer  hung 
its  lovely  blushing  face  behind  stone  fence  or  hedge, 
as  if  ashamed  of  being  belated,  when  Kadra  brought 
H  il we  a  message  from  Hassan.  It  was  not  much.  Barely 
a  few  words.  But  they  were  everything  to  Hilwe: 

"  In  the  Wady  Bettlr,  in  the  place  where  thou 
knowest,  I  shall  await  thee  on  the  morrow.  Fail  me 
not." 

Hilwe' s  eyes  shone  brightly  through  a  mist  of  tears 
as  she  heard  the  words. 

"I  am  greatly  beholden  to  thee,  Kadra,"  she  said 
feelingly.  "Blessings  be  upon  thee  for  that  thou  hast 
done  this  day." 

"Belike  thou  wouldst  have  done  as  much  for  me,  had 
I  stood  in  need  of  it.  I  trust  I  shall  soon  see  thee 
clean  escaped  out  of  thy  trouble." 


284  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Allah  reward  thee !  " 

Hilwe  paused.  It  was  evident  she  would  have  made 
further  inquiries  had  not  her  modesty  prevented.  She 
hung  her  head  and  sighed. 

"And  Hassan, — how  did  he  seem?"  at  last  she 
managed  to  ask. 

"To  judge  by  the  woe-begone  visage  of  the  lad  ant 
his  eagerness  to  bespeak  my  good  offices,  not  to  mentior 
other  and  more  particular  signs,  I  doubt  not  he  ha^ 
had  as  much  punishment  as  he  could  well  endure,' 
quoth  the  cynical  woman  of  Malha,  who  could  not 
resist  taking  hold  of  the  humorous  side  of  the  predica 
ment  in  which  Hassan  had  found  himself. 

There  was  a  certain  tone  of  drollery  as  well  as  oi 
triumph  in  her  voice,  testifying  as  to  her  sympathy 
with  her  sex  under  the  circumstances,  which  was  illu 
minative. 

"And  I  was  the  cause  of  it,"  said  Hilwe  sadly. 

"  Nay,  he  brought  it  upon  himself.  Besides,  it  will 
do  him  good,  or  at  least  no  harm.  He  is  big  enough 
to  stand  it.  There  are  none  of  them  but  would  find 
it  wholesome  discipline.  Yet,  no  doubt,  it  has  gone 
hard  with  him ;  for  when  I  tried  to  make  light  of  it, 
and  told  him  in  sport  I  would  take  a  kiss  from  him 
to  thee,  he  would  not  see  the  pleasantry  of  it,  but 
answered  contemptuously,  and  grimly  as  a  dervis: 
'  Doth  one  send  a  kiss  by  a  messenger? '  But  my  heart 
went  out  to  him  for  all  that,  and  for  all  my  mocking 
words.  I  could  not  refrain.  At  first  I  told  him  he 
was  making  himself  much  trouble  for  nothing ;  and 
that  the  knife  does  not  cut  off  its  own  handle ;  and  I 
expected  better  of  him  than  to  make  himself  such  a 
fool." 

"And  thou  didst  tell  him  that,"  exclaimed  Hilwe, 
horrified. 

"  Yea.  He  listened  very  willingly  to  me,  also.  He 
was  only  too  glad  and  anxious  to  be  reconciled.  I 
never  saw  a  man  so  ready  and  willing  as  he  was." 

Hilwe  was  indignant. 

"  How  couldst  thou  treat  him  so  ?  "  she  cried. 

But  Kadra  only  laughed. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  285 

"  He  would  have  given  me,  out  of  gratitude,  one  of 
his  best  sheep ;  but,  Allah  be  good  to  me,  I  could  not 
take  it  from  him.  I  considered  he  would  need  it  to 
make  up  the  present  he  must  give  to  thy  uncle  for 
thee.  Besides,  what  good  would  it  do  me?  When 
they  beheld  the  sheep  in  Malha,  they  would  know 
whence  I  had  it,  and  would  set  their  faces  against  me 
harder  than  ever.  So,  to  please  him,  I  told  him  to 
keep  it  yet  a  little  while  for  me,  and  some  day  we 
should  have  a  feast  with  it.  And,  peradventure,  it 
may  be  so." 


CHAPTER   XXIV 

THAT  night  was  a  long  and  wearisome  one  for 
Hilwe;  and  gladly  did  she  hail  the  dawning  of 
the  day  which  should  reunite  her  to  Hassan,  —  in 
which  she  should  see  him,  eye  to  eye,  face  to  face,  and 
he  should  smile  upon  her. 

Some  of  the  women  of  Malha  were  going  in  the 
direction  of  the  hill  near  the  Wady  Bettir  for  fuel; 
Hilwe  arranged  to  accompany  them.  It  was  but  a 
little  way  farther  to  where  Hassan  kept  his  sheep. 

She  could  hardly  have  patience  to  wait  for  the 
opportunity  to  steal  away  unnoticed;  and,  rapidly  as 
her  feet  carried  her,  they  seemed  to  her  slow,  and  she 
longed  for  wings,  that,  like  a  bird  of  the  mountain,  she 
might  fly  to  her  beloved. 

Kadra  was  too  sagacious  to  unduly  push  an  advan 
tage.  But  her  admonitory  advice  to  Hilwe  was  alto 
gether  unnecessary. 

"Thou  must  not  expect  too  much  from  him.  Nor 
that  he  should  humble  himself  before  thee." 

This  was  to  moderate  or  qualify  the  exaggerated 
impression  her  account  of  her  clever  conduct  and 
management  of  the  affair  might  have  had  upon  Hilwe. 

But  the  indignant  exclamation  of  the  latter  should 
have  been  sufficient  to  set  at  rest  any  erroneous  ideas 
on  the  subject : 


286  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Nay,  nay.  That  be  far  from  me.  Who  am  I  that 
I  should  exalt  myself  above  him?  " 

That  Hassan  should  be  humiliated  or  wounded  by 
her  was  utterly  repugnant  to  Hilwe's  feelings.  It 
would  have  lowered  him  seriously  in  her  estimation, 
and  was  not  to  be  thought  of. 

She  had  brought  with  her  a  little  bread,  a  few  figs 
and  olives,  and  especially  some  of  the  dried  cakes 
made  of  the  juice  and  pulp  of  the  grape,  in  which  are 
embedded  seeds  of  sesame  and  pine,  which  comestible, 
as  already  mentioned,  will  keep  for  many  years,  and  is 
greatly  esteemed  by  the  people.  It  was  the  old  idea 
of  a  present  or  peace-offering,  which  has  been  the 
habit  of  the  land  for  thousands  of  years. 

While  she  was  yet  a  good  way  off,  Hassan  saw  her, 
and  hastened  to  meet  her.  And  so  he  brought  her 
back  with  him. 

Oh,  hungry  eyes,  and  hungrier  heart,  and  arms  ach 
ing  to  embrace  the  beloved,  what  a  feast  of  love  is 
prepared  for  you!  Poor,  chafing,  impatient  Hassan, 
and  gentle,  enduring  Hilwe,  has  it  not  come  true,  — 
the  saying  of  the  seer ;  "  Sorrow  may  endure  for  a 
night;  but  joy  cometh  in  the  morning?" 

Both  of  them  were  too  glad  at  heart  to  feel  aught 
but  love  between  them,  or  to  remember  with  bitterness 
the  days  which  had  separated  them.  If  there  was  any 
allusion  to  those  days,  it  was  wrapped  in  some  endear 
ing  expression,  completely  absorbing  or  transmuting  it. 

"Surely  my  soul  longed  and  hungered  for  thee, " 
Hassan  would  say.  "  The  days  were  dark  without  thee ; 
and  at  night  thou  didst  hold  the  slumber  from  mine 
eyes." 

"And  verily  my  heart  fainted  for  the  light  of  thy 
countenance,"  was  Hilwe's  reply.  "Did  not  mine 
eyes  wait  upon  thee,  till  thou  shouldst  beckon  me  to 
thy  side?  " 

They  wandered  all  over  the  well-known  ground,  fol 
lowing  and  tending  the  sheep,  and  happy  at  being 
together. 

It  was  the  beautiful  old  pasturage  which  had  belonged 
to  Hassan's  forefathers  before  ever  the  Israelites  had 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  287 

come  into  the  land  of  Canaan.  Many  an  ancient 
landmark  in  the  shape  of  a  block  of  stone  set  into  the 
ground,  or  a  heap  of  boulders,  denoted  the  boundaries, 
some  of  which  had  remained  unmoved  from  generation 
to  generation,  for  time  out  of  mind. 

"Cursed  be  he  who  moveth  his  neighbour's  land 
mark  "  is  an  archaic  malediction. 

Near  by  was  the  fenced  inclosure  where  Hassan  had 
slain  the  leopard,  and  beyond  was  the  cave,  while 
midway  between  was  the  spring  of  water  gushing  out 
of  the  rock  and  forming  the  little  pool  where  Hassan 
had  bathed  and  by  which  he  had  prayed  on  that  event 
ful  morning.  They  visited  all  these  places  with  much 
more  interest  and  delight  than  if  they  were  new  to 
them,  and  had  much  to  relate  of  the  various  incidents 
connected  with  each,  which  they  were  never  tired  of 
dilating  on. 

"I  am  happier  than  ever,"  Hassan  kept  repeating. 
"Only  the  true  lover  knows  the  joys  of  love." 

It  was  the  season  of  the  "  latter  rain. "  But  the 
showers  had  not  fallen  with  their  usual  abundance. 

"  Unless  we  have  more  rain  soon,  the  ears  of  corn 
will  not  fill  with  grain,"  the  fellaheen  began  to 
murmur. 

"  Nor  will  the  cisterns  be  filled  with  sufficient  water," 
others  said,  who  were  dependent  on  this  resource  for 
their  supply. 

Since  the  "former  rain,"  that  of  the  autumn  and 
winter,  which  had  been  copious,  the  rainfall  had  been 
scant,  confined  to  light  intermittent  showers,  alto 
gether  insufficient  for  the  perfect  maturing  of  the  prin 
cipal  crops.  But  otherwise  the  season  had  been 
favourable,  advanced  and  warm ;  and  certain  fruits, 
vegetables  and  other  products  of  the  soil  were  un 
usually  early,  as  we  have  seen  in  the  case  of  the  roses. 
Those  lands  susceptible  to  irrigation  were,  of  course, 
largely  independent  of  the  rainfall,  and  were  compara 
tively  flourishing,  of  which  the  gardens  of  Bettir  were 
i  striking  example. 

For  several  days  past,  Hassan  had  watched  the  clouds 
is  they  had  gathered  in  great  masses  overhead,  promis- 


288  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

ing  the  welcome  downpour.  They  were  the  true  nim 
bus,  heavy  with  blessing.  But  day  after  day  they 
had  dispersed,  or  drifted  off,  carrying  their  precious 
contents  with  them  undischarged,  and  disappointing 
the  hopes  of  thousands. 

There  are  few  lands,  if  any,  in  which  certain  meteor 
ological  phenomena  can  be  studied  to  greater  advan 
tage  than  in  Palestine.  Among  the  more  interesting 
of  such  spectacles  is  the  action  of  the  dry  air-cushion 
as  there  manifested  during  the  rainy  season.  This  is 
seen  to  perfection  around  Jerusalem.  Often,  for  sev 
eral  days  together,  enormous  volumes  of  cloud  will 
gather,  commonly  from  the  direction  of  the  Mediter 
ranean,  till  the  entire  dome  of  the  firmament  is  occu 
pied  by  them ;  but  owing  to  the  intervening  cushion  of 
dry  air,  they  cannot  discharge  their  contents  upon  the 
earth.  The  dry  air-cushion  continues  to  absorb  the 
moisture,  and  until  it  is  completely  saturated  no  rain 
can  come  through  to  descend  upon  the  thirsty  land. 

The  clouds  are  frequently  seen  to  gather  for  three 
days  before  the  result  is  produced.  Not  seldom  a 
longer  period  is  required. 

In  a  country  so  denuded  of  its  forests  and  so  spar 
ingly  under  cultivation  as  is  Palestine,  the  gentle 
mediation  of  tree  and  shrub,  spear  of  cereal,  and  acu 
minate  leaf  of  all  kinds,  is  to  a  serious  extent  wanting, 
en  masse,  or  is  so  restricted  as  to  be  of  little  positive 
effect.  As  is  well  known,  through  those  simple  anc 
beautiful  agencies,  thousands  upon  thousands  of  gallon.' 
of  water  are  pumped  daily  into  the  atmosphere.  Here 
the  unsaturated  air-cushion  is  almost  entirely  deprivec 
of  this  aid,  or  receives  comparatively  inappreciable 
moisture  from  beneath.  Hence  an  additional  factor  ir  : 
the  protracted  character  of  the  phenomenon. 

Were  the  forests  renewed,  and  were  there  mon 
liberal  planting  of  olive  groves,  fig  orchards,  and  vine 
yards,  with  general  cultivation  of  the  land,  doubtles; 
the  rainfall  would  be  more  abundant  and  more  equabh 
distributed,  and  not  be  confined  to  special  seasons  o 
subject  to  paroxysmal  and  injurious  outbursts  alternat 
ing  with  droughts. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  289 

As  the  hours  went  by,  the  sultriness  of  the  morning 
had  passed  into  an  oppressive  oven-like  glow,  accom 
panied  by  an  ominous  stillness  which,  to  Hassan,  ex 
perienced  in  weather  signs,  as  he  turned  his  cheek 
to  catch  the  aerial  premonitions,  was  of  threatening 
import. 

"We  shall  have  the  rain  this  time,"  he  said  to 
Hilwe.  "A  storm  is  brewing.  The  clouds  have  been 
gathering  these  many  days." 

A  distant  rumble  of  thunder,  shortly  succeeded  by  a 
nearer  concussion,  confirmed  his  words. 

Suddenly  it  grew  quite  dusk. 

"  I  shall  gather  the  sheep  together  into  shelter,  so 
they  shall  be  in  good  shape  for  it." 

This  he  at  once  proceeded  to  do. 

The  clouds,  hanging  low,  till  their  ragged  edges 
seemed  to  trail  upon  the  ground,  now  assumed  a  greenish 
and  copper-hued  glare,  which  gave  to  everything  a 
ghastly  complexion.  Beyond,  thick  skirts  of  darkness 
enveloped  them. 

There  was  the  tenseness  of  anxiety  in  Hilwe' s  face 
which  was  more  expressive  than  words  as  to  her 
apprehensions. 

"  I  fear  it,"  was  all  she  said. 

"Nay;  the  rain  is  sorely  needed.      It  will  do  good." 

But  though  Hassan  spoke  thus  confidently,  to  reas 
sure  her,  it  was  evident  he  was  not  without  participat 
ing  in  her  anxiety,  at  least  to  some  extent. 

There  was  a  slight,  breezy  sound  and  stir  in  the 
boughs  of  a  group  of  olive-trees  which  stood  near.  It 
was  just  enough  to  show  the  white  underside  of  the 
leaves,  which,  thrown  against  the  black  and  coppery 
menace  of  the  horrible  body  of  cloud,  gave  the  trees 
the  effect  of  crouching  and  blanching  with  fear  at  what 
was  coming. 

Soon  a  hot  puff  of  sirocco-like  wind,  as  if  it  came 
from  a  cannon,  struck  the  faces  of  the  man  and  woman. 
A  blinding  flash  of  lightning  rent  the  vapoury  curtain, 
and  sprang  out  towards  them  like  a  golden  viper; 
while  almost  instantaneously,  a  deafening  detonation 
shook  the  heavens  and  the  earth  till  they  trembled. 


290  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Heavy  drops  of  rain  now  began  to  fall  thick  and  fast. 

"  Hasten,  Hilwe ;  we  shall  yet  reach  the  cave  before 
the  worst  comes,"  cried  Hassan,  as  he  caught  her 
hand  to  help  her  forward. 

The  first  blasts  of  the  almost  hurricane-like  wind 
nearly  carried  them  off  their  feet,  and  took  away  their 
breath.  The  dust  of  the  ground  was  caught  up  into  a 
whirling  column.  They  had  scarcely  reached  the 
mouth  of  the  cavern  when  the  rain  descended,  no  longer 
in  drops,  but  in  broad  sheets,  as  if  rivers  of  water 
were  pouring  out  of  the  sky.  At  the  same  time  the 
entire  atmosphere  and  the  ground  seemed  afire  with 
the  incessant  flashes  of  the  electric  fluid,  which  were 
accompanied  by  as  incessant  thundering. 

Neither  Hassan  nor  Hilwe  had  ever  been  exposed  to, 
altogether,  so  fearful  a  storm.  It  could  only  be  likened 
to  the  description  in  the  old  psalm,  which  originally 
must  have  been  a  transcription  of  a  similar  scene. 

What  a  grand  panorama  is  disclosed !  the  fire  run 
ning  along  the  ground,  and  hail  mingled  with  fire. 
The  Lord  thundered.  "  The  earth  shook  and  trembled ; 
the  foundations  of  the  hills  moved  and  were  shaken.  .  .  . 
He  bowed  the  heavens  also,  and  came  down ;  and  dark 
ness  was  under  his  feet.  .  .  .  He  did  fly  upon  the  wings 
of  the  wind.  He  made  darkness  his  secret  place;  his 
pavilion  round  about  him  were  dark  waters  and  thick 
clouds  of  the  skies.  At  the  brightness  that  was  before 
him  his  thick  clouds  passed,  hailstones  and  coals  of 
fire.  .  .  .  He  shot  out  lightnings.  The  channels  of 
waters  were  seen,  and  the  foundations  of  the  world 
were  discovered." 

Now,  like  many  another  cave  in  Palestine,  in  the 
case  of  this  one  (which,  as  has  been  mentioned,  was 
largely  used  by  Hassan  as  his  temporary  quarters,  as 
a  refuge  in  bad  weather,  and  sometimes  as  a  sleeping 
place),  the  entrance  sloped  abruptly  downward  as  it 
passed  inward,  so  that  the  level  of  the  extreme  inner 
end  was  considerably  lower  than  that  of  the  mouth. 
Outside  was  a  mound-like  barrier,  composed  partly  of 
the  debris  of  crumbling  rock  from  above,  accumulating 
through  ages,  partly  of  the  cleaning  out  of  the  cave. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  291 

This  served  as  a  perfect  protection  against  the  ingress 
of  ordinary  rains  and  floods,  so  that  during  the  entire 
time  of  Hassan's  occupancy  of  the  place  it  had  remained 
clean  and  dry,  and  free  from  all  danger  from  such 
sources. 

But  this  was  no  ordinary  storm.  The  windows  of 
heaven  were  opened.  It  was  a  vast  cloud-burst  sweep 
ing  everything  before  it.  From  the  cliffs  above  the 
waters  poured  as  a  cataract.  They  rushed  in  a  torrent 
down  the  steep  incline.  They  leaped  like  a  foaming 
wild  beast  over  the  mound-like  barrier,  and  broke  in 
an  irresistible  flood  into  the  cavern. 

The  effect  was  instantaneous. 

Before  Hassan  and  Hilwe  comprehended  the  nature 
of  the  danger,  or,  indeed,  knew  what  had  happened, 
they  were  smitten,  seized  and  overwhelmed  by  the 
mighty  wave,  and  dashed  backward  against  the  rocky 
rear  wall.  He  reached  forward  to  try  to  save  Hilwe, 
but  it  was  in  vain. 

Bewildered,  stunned,  blinded,  gasping  for  breath, 
Hassan  lost  consciousness  for  a  moment.  He  was 
powerless  in  the  grasp  of  such  a  force,  till  in  its 
recoil  it  yielded,  having  satisfied  itself. 

Thereupon,  with  the  instinct  of  self-preservation 
inherent  in  all  living  creatures,  hardly  knowing  what 
he  did,  he  clutched  with  his  hands  and  feet  the  rough 
projections  of  the  rocky  wall,  and  thereby  lifted  him 
self  above  the  water,  that  now  was  rising  rapidly, 
being  already  of  dangerous  depth. 

He  shook  the  clinging  moisture  from  his  eyes  and 
hair,  as  a  dog  shakes  himself  dry,  and  looked  around 
him  in  the  semi-darkness.  He  perceived  the  character 
of  the  terrible  calamity  which  had  overwhelmed  them ; 
and  he  missed  Hilwe. 

"Oh,  Hilwe,  I  cannot  see  thee!  Where  art  thou?" 
he  exclaimed  in  loud  and  lamentable  entreaty. 

There  was  no  response,  other  than  the  hollow  rever 
berations  of  the  cave. 

"Where  art  thou,  my  beloved  ?  "  again  he  called. 

Then,  receiving  no  answer,  he  lifted  up  his  voice  in 
that  piteous  cry,  the  most  deplorable  sound  in  nature, 


292  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

—  the  agonised  outburst  of  a  man's  grief.  There  were 
no  words  in  it,  —  it  was  only  a  cry.  But  those  who 
have  heard  such,  care  not  again  to  hear  it. 

Hilwe,  in  the  rebound  and  wild  eddies  of  the  water, 
had  been  borne  away  from  the  spot  where  Hassan 
clung.  After  a  few  useless  struggles,  confused  and 
baffled,  her  strength  nearly  expended,  she  had  suc 
cumbed  to  the  inevitable,  and  sank  in  the  dark  flood. 

But  life  scarcely  ever  yields  itself  to  death  without 
repeated  effort  for  deliverance.  Is  it  the  love  of  the 
soul  for  the  body  it  has  so  long  dwelt  in?  Or  what  is 
it?  There  is  a  salvatory  force  within  that  gathers 
itself  for  resistance.  Twice  had  Hilwe  striven  with 
her  untoward  fate,  rising  to  the  surface  of  the  water, 
unseen  by  Hassan,  for  he  was  dazed  and  stupefied  by 
his  own  experience,  and  the  gloom  of  the  cavern  had 
thickened.  When,  the  third  time,  with  a  feeble  dying 
effort  she  again  rose,  the  insistent,  searching,  heaven- 
taught  eye  of  love,  piercing  the  darkness,  found  the 
object  of  its  quest,  —  Hassan  saw  her. 

Without  a  thought,  without  an  instant's  pause,  he 
plunged  into  the  water  and  faced  the  inrushing  torrent, 
which  was  shutting  out  the  light  more  and  more. 

Strong  must  the  arms  be  to  buffet  such  a  force,  — 
brave  the  heart  to  face  such  a  danger.  But  "  perfect 
love  casteth  out  fear." 

With  difficulty  he  made  headway.  More  than  once, 
in  spite  of  all  his  efforts,  he  was  borne  backwards ; 
and  repeatedly  the  angry  spirit  of  the  current  frus 
trated  his  attempts  by  snatching  the  sinking  form  of 
Hilwe  when  almost  within  his  grasp  and  whirling  it 
in  an  opposite  direction.  More  than  once  he  dived 
deep  for  her,  in  vain.  But  at  last  he  reached  her,  and 
clasped  her  in  his  arms,  lifting  her  head  upon  his 
breast  above  the  swell. 

"I  have  saved  thee!"  he  exclaimed.  "Now  am  I 
glad." 

At  length  he  worked  his  way,  bearing  her  lovingly, 
triumphantly,  thoughtless  of  himself,  with  a  few  brave 
strokes,  to  a  place  in  the  cave  where  rudely-cut  notches 
in  the  rock  led  up  to  a  chamber-like  recess  in  the  rear. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  293 

In  fact  it  was  Hassan's  sleeping-place,  and  where  he 
kept  his  stores. 

The  water  had  now  risen  much  higher;  for  the  inrush 
was  far  greater  than  any  of  the  existing  outlets,  which 
were  partially  blocked,  could  carry  off.  Slowly  and 
carefully  he  climbed  with  his  precious  burden.  She 
still  clung  to  him  with  the  despairing  grip  of  the 
drowning. 

"  Save  me  !  "  he  heard  her  murmur. 

There  was  much  danger,  in  the  crowding  darkness, 
of  slipping  and  falling  into  the  murky  depths.  How 
strong  his  arms  were  to  hold  her  to  him !  He  gloried 
in  them  and  in  his  strength  to  deliver  her.  How  sure 
were  his  feet  to  clasp  the  ribbed  rock!  Only  one  of 
his  hands  was  free.  Her  head  hung  over  his  shoulder. 
But  he  gained  the  hollowed  recess,  with  a  sob  of  praise 
to  Allah,  and  with  the  thrill  of  joy  that  only  the 
natural  man  can  feel  in  all  its  rude  intensity  of 
fulness. 

"Thou  hast  saved  me,"  she  whispered,  her  lips  close 
to  his,  and  then  she  was  silent. 

Proudly,  lovingly,  those  strong  arms  of  his,  finely 
rounded  as  in  an  antique  statue,  held  her  to  him  in  long 
embrace.  What  a  giant  he  was,  —  a  Colossus  of  love  ! 
All  his  restrained,  accumulated  longing  asserted  itself. 
He  kissed  her,  he  whispered  to  her  words  of  endear 
ment.  There  was  no  one  like  him.  Who  could  love 
as  he  could  love? 

But  there  came  to  him  no  reply. 

"Oh,  my  Hilwe,"  he  cried,  "why  wilt  thou  not 
speak  to  me?  Art  thou  ashamed?  When  one  is  in 
love,  what  shame  remains  ? " 

He  held  his  mouth  to  hers,  but  she  did  not  kiss  him ; 
he  could  not  feel  her  breathe. 

"Hilwe,  my  beloved,  my  little  love,  it  is  I  —  thine 
own  Hassan ;  wilt  thou  not  say  one  word  to  me?  " 

He  repeated  this,  over  and  over. 

Then,  in  an  agony  of  fear,  he  thought  that  her  flesh 
was  growing  cold. 

"O  God!  is  she  dying?  Is  she  dead?  Have  I  slain 
her  with  my  love?  "  he  sobbed. 


294  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

He  had  found  the  corner  where  was  his  simple  bed, 
—  the  bed  he  had  so  often  slept  in,  —  a  few  armfuls  of 
dried  grass  and  a  mat.  He  had  laid  her  there  with  the 
greatest  tenderness.  He  now  searched  out  his  earthen 
lamp,  and  with  flint  and  steel  struck  a  light ;  and  hav 
ing  lighted  the  lamp,  set  it  in  the  little  niche  made 
for  it. 

Small  as  was  the  room-like  recess  partly  cut  in  the 
rock,  the  flickering  flame  barely  illuminated  its  narrow 
bounds,  and  showed  that,  according  to  the  very  modest 
ideas  of  the  Palestine  peasant,  Hassan  had  provided  it 
only  with  what  was  necessary  for  his  temporarily  abid 
ing  there. 

When  he  saw  the  death-like  pallor  of  Hilwe's  face, 
he  was  greatly  moved.  He  tore  off  the  rent  remnant 
of  her  drenched  garments  that  the  waves  had  left,  and 
commenced  charing  her  limbs.  How  sacred  the  fair 
body  was  to  him !  It  was  his.  It  could  not  be  more 
to  him.  He  knew  the  desperateness  of  the  case,  and 
that  no  time  must  be  lost. 

The  morning  had  been  so  warm  that,  fortunately,  he 
had  left  his  abai  with  other  of  his  raiment  here.  He 
wrapped  her  in  the  warm  folds  of  the  striped  robe,  that 
was  like  an  old  friend,  and  never  ceased  his  exertions 
over  her. 

"O  Allah,  the  Most  Merciful,  if  I  have  done  evil, 
and  this  is  the  punishment,  forgive  me ! "  was  his 
supplication  ;  "  or  if  not,  lay  thy  hand  in  judgment  upon 
me  alone,  and  save  the  innocent !  " 

He  heard  the  lapping  and  surging  of  the  wild  water, 
and  knew  it  had  now  risen  within  a  few  feet  of  this, 
their  last  retreat. 

"If  Hilwe  is  dead  I  care  not  to  live,"  he  said. 
"Let  us  both  perish  together!  My  darling,  my  life, 
I  shall  die  with  thee !  " 

Then,  when  the  horribleness  of  their  fate  presented 
itself,  he  murmured: 

"  And  was  it  this  which  was  written  from  the  begin 
ning?  Was  this,  all  the  time,  to  be  the  end?  " 

The  roar  of  the  relentless  storm  as  it  still  raged 
without  and  within,  made  the  walls  of  the  cave  to 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  295 

reverberate  and  shiver.  The  water  was  now  smiting 
the  very  threshold  of  their  retreat,  and  seemed  to  hiss 
in  his  ears  the  words:  "There  is  no  hope.  Of  what 
good  is  all  thy  labour  ?  If  thou  bringest  her  back  to 
life  it  is  only  to  die  miserably,  — to  drown  with  thee. " 

"Yes,  even  then,"  he  replied,  "I  should  die  happy, 
if  she  should  but  smile  in  my  face  once  more.  But, 
who  knows  ?  Allah  may  have  mercy  upon  us  at  the 
last,  and  the  waters  may  abate." 

In  his  passionate  distress  he  caught  her  to  him  once 
again. 

"  Let  me  warm  her  back  to  life ! "  he  said.  "  O  God, 
hear  me !  Take  my  warmth  and  my  strength  to  save 
her !  Take  my  life,  and  put  it  into  her,  that  she  may 
live;  and  let  me  perish  out  of  the  land  of  the  living, 
if  it  be  thy  will !" 

While  yet  the  petition  was  upon  his  lips,  the  newly- 
returned  soul  trembled  within  his  arms.  He  felt  the 
heart  beat  against  his  heart,  slowly  and  softly  at  first, 
and  then  more  surely;  and  all  the  warm  pulsation 
awoke  throughout  the  body.  The  breath  of  life  touched 
the  mouth.  The  eyes  opened,  and  looked  into  his 
eyes  with  fond  recognition.  The  arms  went  up  and 
closed  about  his  neck,  and  drew  his  lips  to  her  lips. 

Great  tears  were  coursing  down  the  cheeks  of  the 
magnificent  young  giant. 

"  Where  am  I  ?  "  she  asked. 

"You  are  with  me,"  he  said. 


CHAPTER   XXV 

f  I  ^HE  storm  continued  to  rage  into  the  night,  but 
J_  with  lessened  fury.  Still  the  water  did  not  cease 
to  pour  into  the  cave,  the  result  of  the  overflow  of  the 
vast  watershed ;  and  Hassan  anxiously  watched,  as  the 
level  rose  with  a  constancy  which  was  maddening. 

He  tried  to  keep  the  truth  from  Hilwe ;   but  it  was 
impossible,  and  she  became  a  sharer  in  his  distress. 


296  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

It  was  a  terrible  heart-searching  ordeal  —  one  which 
tries  the  souls  of  men.  As  he  held  his  feeble  lamp-light 
over  the  black  mass  of  water  filling  the  cave,  and  saw 
the  stealthy  creeping  up  upon  them  of  the  cold  dark 
snake-like  death,  it  was  enough  to  chill  the  life,  and  slay 
the  courage  of  the  bravest. 

But  Hilwe  was  by  his  side. 

Yes,  —  his  joy  and  comfort,  and  his  sorrow. 

How  he  tortured  his  mind  in  trying  to  plan  some 
means  of  escape,  before  the  worst  should  come,  and  ere 
the  waters  closed  in  upon  them,  and  overwhelmed  them. 
He,  so  big  and  strong,  so  full  of  life  and  force,  so  power 
ful,  and  yet  so  helpless.  At  times  he  felt  as  if  he  could 
rend  the  rocks  with  his  hands,  and  make  a  way  of 
deliverance  for  Hilwe  and  himself.  He  could  hardly 
believe  that  they  must  perish. 

His  mind  wandered. 

"  I  shall  make  a  dash  with  her  through  the  fierce 
waters,"  he  said. 

Yet  he  remembered  with  what  difficulty  he  had 
stemmed  the  flood  for  even  that  short  distance,  when 
unencumbered,  in  rescuing  Hilwe,  and  he  knew  it  would 
be  impossible  for  them  to  make  the  mouth  of  the  cave 
against  such  a  tremendous  power. 

How  it  went  through  him  like  a  sharp  arrow  as  Hilwe 
asked  him:  "  Does  the  water  still  rise,  Hassan?" 

He  would  shake  his  head,  but  make  no  other  reply. 

At  last,  when  the  flood  began  rolling  over  the  floor, 
and  the  night  close  at  hand,  he  felt  the  end  had  come. 

"  Yet  will  I  not  despair,"  he  said.  "  Despair  is 
infidelity." 

He  drew  Hilwe  to  him ;  and  when  a  stream  of  water 
ran  up  to  where  they  sat,  this  great  natural  man  moved 
her  away,  to  a  higher  part,  where  the  bed  was,  and  hid 
her  face  in  his  bosom,  so  she  might  not  see,  and  covered 
his  eyes  with  his  hand. 

"  Thou  art  not  afraid  to  die  with  me,  Hilwe?  " 

The  words  were  on  his  lips ;  but  he  did  not  speak 
them. 

"  It  is  enough  for  one  to  know  the  evil,"  he  said.  "  I 
shall  conceal  it  from  her  till  the  last." 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  297 

He  rolled  some  of  his  spare  garments  into  a  pillow, 
and,  placing  it  under  her  head,  tried  to  make  her  lie 
down. 

"  Sleep,  thou  art  weary,  and  nigh  worn-out,"  he  said. 
"  I  will  watch  while  thou  takest  rest." 

"  Nay,  but  thou  wilt  then  be  alone,"  she  protested, 
refusing.  "  Let  me  stay  by  thee." 

So  he  consented ;  otherwise  he  knew  it  would  pain 
her ;  and  they  sat  together,  as  before,  her  face  hidden 
in  his  bosom.  And  as  they  thus  sat,  each  succeeding 
moment  he  expected  to  feel  the  stinging  lash  of  the 
climbing  wave,  as  it  broke  in  upon  them,  overwhelming 
them.  And  repeatedly,  in  torturing  iteration,  as  before, 
rang  in  his  ears  the  taunt:  "Of  what  use  is  all  thy 
labour?  There  is  no  hope.  If  thou  bringest  her  back 
to  life,  it  is  only  to  drown  with  thee." 

At  length  it  became  as  a  dreamy  lullaby  sung  in  the 
ears  of  a  drowsy  child,  who  does  not  want  to  go  to  sleep, 
and  yet  cannot  keep  his  eyes  open.  The  air  of  the  cave 
was  close.  His  head  nodded,  and  at  last,  after  a  few 
vain  struggles,  fell  forward  on  his  breast.  Hilwe  already 
had  been  overcome.  They  both  slept,  for  very  fatigue 
and  the  heaviness  of  the  air,  in  presence  of  their  great 
danger. 

And  yet  the  consciousness  of  it  and  of  his  sleep  was 
upon  him.  But  he  could  not  deliver  himself,  though  he 
attempted  it,  in  broken  moments. 

He  dreamed  he  was  tangled  in  a  net  which  held  him 
fast;  and  that  the  more  he  struggled,  the  more  inextri 
cable  became  his  position.  Finally  it  was  impressed 
upon  him  that  to  lie  still,  to  succumb,  was  his  only 
chance  of  escape.  It  was  part  of  the  fitful  dream.  So 
he  gave  way  and,  in  consequence,  fell  into  a  deep 
slumber. 

How  long  the  uneasy  trance  born  of  weariness  and 
the  closeness  of  the  air  (for  it  was  that  rather  than  sleep) 
was  upon  him  he  did  not  know;  but  it  was  already 
night. 

Suddenly  he  was  awakened  as  if  by  a  supernatural 
voice. 

The  words  came  to  him  distinctly  : 


298  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Awake,  Hassan  !  The  waves  are  upon  thee."  He 
started  up  with  a  hideous  sense  of  culpability  —  of 
betrayed  trust.  He  was  certain  they  were  engulfed. 

The  lamp  was  flickering  and  spluttering,  on  the  verge 
of  going  out. 

He  seized  and  lifted  Hilwe  in  his  arms ;  and,  as  he 
went  to  replenish  the  expiring  light  from  his  store  of  oil, 
the  feeling  of  being  flooded  so  impressed  him,  he  im 
agined  he  was  wading  with  her  through  the  water. 

In  the  motion  given  by  his  movements  to  the  air,  the 
lamp  went  out.  But  he  blew  upon  the  smouldering, 
smoking  wick  until  the  flame  leaped  back,  and,  re-fed 
with  oil,  blazed  up  anew. 

As,  lamp  in  hand,  he  peered  about  the  cell,  he  was 
greatly  astonished,  not  only  to  find  no  water,  but  also  to 
see  that  the  floor  was  mostly  dry,  and  that  even  the 
stream  which  had  poured  in  at  one  end  had  returned 
whence  it  came,  as  if  drained  off. 

Setting  down  Hilwe,  he  ran  to  the  opening. 

"  Surely  the  waters  have  not  advanced,"  he  thought. 
"  They  have  not  prevailed ;  but,  if  at  all  changed  they 
have  abated." 

Yet  he  feared  he  but  fancied  it,  and  would  not  trust 
himself  to  tell  Hilwe,  lest  he  should  raise  her  hope  to 
disappoint  it. 

Presently  he  went  again  and  surveyed  the  black 
depths. 

Hilwe  noticing  his  intense  earnestness,  asked  him,  as 
before,  "  Do  the  waters  still  increase  upon  us,  Hassan  ?  " 

"Allah  be  praised;  but,  as  I  live,  I  believe  they 
recede.  Come  hither,  Hilwe,  and  judge  for  thyself.  See 
if  I  mistake  not." 

She  flew  to  his  side,  and  perceived  it  was  even  as  he 
had  said. 

"  Thou  art  right,"  she  said  exultantly.  "  They  are 
falling." 

"  Then  thou  art  saved,"  he  exclaimed,  showing  that, 
throughout,  his  chief  thought  was  for  Hilwe,  and  to  save 
her. 

Taking  her  hand  in  his,  he  led  her  backward  to  the 
bed. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  299 

"  Now  thou  canst  lay  thee  down  and  take  thy  rest  in 
peace.  Allah  the  Most  Merciful  hath  delivered  us. 
Praise  be  to  his  holy  name." 

And  so,  relieved  of  the  intense  strain  which  had 
tortured  them,  in  the  sudden  reaction  they  found  the 
sweet  slumber  of  the  weary,  and,  like  two  lost  children, 
slept  into  the  morning  watch. 

They  dreamed  they  were  in  Paradise,  —  as  well  they 
might,  so  great  was  the  contrast  with  the  horror  they 
had  so  lately  escaped.  And  when  their  eyes  were 
opened,  when  they  woke  on  the  morrow,  they  could 
not  understand,  for  some  moments,  what  had  happened, 
and  how  they  were  together  in  the  cave. 

The  place  was  doubtless  one  of  the  resorts  or  abodes 
of  the  ancient  Canaanites,  before  the  building  of  houses 
had  been  adopted.  Who  could  tell  but  that  Hassan's 
ancestors,  those  mighty  men  of  Anak,  had  occupied  this 
very  cavern  with  their  wives,  their  children  and  their 
cattle? 

The  abundance  of  such  dens  and  retreats  in  Palestine 
sufficiently  attest  their  use  in  the  prehistoric  age,  their 
occasional  or  partial  occupation  continuing  to  the 
present  day.  Great  is  the  interest  and  importance 
attached  to  them  from  their  historic  associations  and  fre 
quent  mention  in  Bible  times.  There  were  caves  of 
sepulchre,  as,  for  instance,  Machpelah,  which  Abraham 
bought  from  Ephron  the  Hittite,  at  Hebron,  that  he 
might  bury  Sarah.  There  were  caves  of  refuge,  to 
which  in  time  of  war  or  other  trouble  the  people  had 
recourse,  hiding  themselves  therein,  till  the  danger  was 
passed.  Obadiah  concealed  one  hundred  prophets  in  a 
cave  on  Mount  Carmel ;  Elijah  lodged  in  a  cave  on 
Mount  Horeb;  and  the  cave  of  Adullam,  to  which 
David  retreated  and  to  which  all  that  were  in  distress  or 
discontented  or  disaffected  resorted,  till  soon  he  had 
four  hundred  followers,  has  it  not  become  a  proverb 
among  the  nations?  Even  the  Holy  Temple  was  built 
over  the  cave  and  threshing-floor  of  Araunah  the  Jebusite, 
from  whom  King  David  purchased  them.  Christ  was 
born  in  a  cave. 

Hassan  was  up  betimes  that  morning.     As  the  sun 


300  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

rose,  the  slanting  rays  entered  and  smote  the  surface  of 
the  water,  making  a  dancing  network  of  reflected  light 
upon  the  roof,  so  that  he  knew  the  weather  was  fair;  and 
he  greatly  rejoiced  with  Hilwe. 

Yet  had  they  to  remain  within  their  prison  for  another 
day  and  night.  It  was  not  till  the  following  or  third  day 
that  the  waters  were  sufficiently  abated  to  permit  him 
safely  to  carry  Hilwe  out. 

But  they  were  far  from  murmuring  at  this.  It,  more 
over,  seemed  to  them  that  it  was  a  confirmation  of  their 
destiny  —  an  establishment  of  the  relations  which  had 
arisen  between  them.  It  was  written  —  it  was  fate  — 
the  will  of  Allah  that  they  should  be  man  and  wife. 

Hilwe,  with  the  sweet  and  patient  nature  of  unselfish 
woman,  took  pleasure  in  setting  things  to  rights,  and 
keeping  them  in  order,  and  in  preparing  their  slender 
meals  from  Hassan's  frugal  store.  They  began  to  feel 
as  if  it  had  long  been  so  with  them.  It  strengthened 
their  hearts  ;  for  usage  sanctions,  and  wont  substantiates. 
She  gathered  together  the  few  simple  vessels  of  pottery, 
such  as  are  in  use  all  over  the  country,  and  in  which  he 
had  kept  his  provisions  or  which  he  had  employed  in 
partaking  of  his  food,  and  she  cleansed  and  arranged 
them,  as  a  housewife  should,  laughing,  meanwhile  at 
Hassan's  carelessness  in  the  keeping  of  them,  and  ridicul 
ing  his  negligence  and  ignorance  in  domestic  duties,  to 
his  great  delight. 

Added  to  Hassan's  trial  had  been  the  fear  that  his 
scanty  supply  of  food  might  not  be  sufficient  to  last 
them.  It  assuredly  would  not  were  they  detained  beyond 
a  certain  very  brief  period  in  the  cave.  How  carefully 
and  cunningly  he  abstained  from  fully  satisfying  his 
appetite,  so  that  the  few  cakes  of  bread  and  few  hand- 
fuls  of  figs  and  olives  might  be  eked  out  to  the  utmost, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  that  Hilwe  might  not  notice  his 
friendly  stratagem ! 

Hassan  repeatedly  tested  the  depth  of  the  water,  and 
when  the  morning  of  the  third  day  dawned,  he  con 
sidered  it  best  no  longer  to  postpone  the  attempt  to 
escape.  Though  in  the  deeper  places  he  was  submerged 
to  his  loins,  he  bore  Hilwe  on  his  broad  shoulders 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  301 

through  the  dark  flood,  yet  not  without  many  a  stumble, 
to  dry  land  outside.  She  bore  on  her  head,  made  up  into 
a  bundle,  such  of  their  garments  and  other  effects  as 
they  required. 

The  first  sensation  they  experienced  was  one  of  ex 
treme  thankfulness,  as  they  inhaled,  once  more,  the  clear 
free  air  of  the  mountain-side.  The  next  moment  a 
pitiful  cry  of  surprise  and  pain  burst  from  Hassan's 
lips,  which  Hilvve's  echoed.  Lifting  up  their  eyes  they 
had  seen  at  a  glance  the  woful  devastation,  the  work  of 
the  storm. 

"Oh,  my  sheep,  my  poor  sheep!"  he  exclaimed. 
"What  has  become  of  them?  They  are  destroyed! 
Utterly  wiped  out.  The  sheep  of  my  pasture." 

"  Allah  have  pity  !  "  cried  Hilvve,  and  wrung  her  hands 
and  wept. 

"  I  led  them  in  and  out,"  continued  Hassan,  "  they 
knew  my  voice,  and  followed  me  whithersoever  I  went. 
And  they  were  to  me  as  my  life.  I  fed  them  in  the 
green  valleys,  and  on  the  pleasant  hillside,  and  brought 
them  where  there  was  abundant  water.  There  was  none 
like  to  them.  They  were  well-favoured.  They  wanted 
for  nothing.  They  were  white  as  the  snow  on  Mount 
Hermon,  and  beautiful  to  behold.  And  now  where  are 
they?" 

It  was  a  cry  out  of  Nature  rather  than  a  human 
utterance. 

Hassan's  head  fell  forward  on  his  breast.  After  the 
first  agonised  outburst,  his  voice  was  silent  —  he  was 
dumb.  Hilwe  stood  behind  him,  speechless  in  the 
presence  of  such  a  woe. 

In  every  direction  the  sheep  lay  scattered —  drowned, 
wounded,  maimed,  dead.  Some  of  the  lifeless  bodies, 
washed  down  into  the  gullies  and  hollows  of  the  rocks, 
were  floating  in  deep  pools  of  water,  —  for  every  cleft 
and  depression  and  crevice  had  been  turned  into  stand 
ing  water,  and  brimmed  level,  and  to  overflowing  in  that 
passionate  rage  of  the  elements  which  had  mocked  and 
smitten  the  place. 

Flocks  of  crows,  vultures  and  ravens  had  gathered  in 
unusual  numbers,  and  either  had  entered  already  on 


302  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

their  hideous  task,  or  crowded  the  rocks  in  anticipation 
of  what  they  had  come  to  do. 

Hassan,  noticing  a  vulture  tearing  a  dead  sheep  which 
had  been  a  favourite,  rushed  towards  it  in  a  frantic  rage 
he  could  not  control,  and  drove  the  unclean  fowl  away. 
It  slowly  rose,  and  alighted  on  an  adjoining  rock,  ready 
to  resume  its  work. 

"  Hilwe,"  he  said,  "  I  am  a  poor  man.  I  have  lost 
everything.  And  those  also  who  trusted  their  sheep  to 
me,  and  gave  them  into  my  hand,  have  been  deprived  of 
them.  We  are  all  destitute  together.  What  shall  I  say? 
What  shall  I  do  ?  How  shall  I  render  account  or  answer? 
What  shall  become  of  us?" 

Hilwe  did  not  dare  reply.  It  was  not  expected  she 
should  speak.  What  could  she  say?  She  sank  upon 
the  spot  where  she  had  stood.  She  hid  her  face  in  her 
hands,  and  mourned  as  though  her  heart  would  break. 

This  somewhat  recalled  Hassan  to  himself.  He  re 
sumed  his  seat  upon  the  rock  beside  her,  and  would  have 
comforted  her. 

Slowly  his  thoughts  gathered  strength  —  they  gathered 
themselves  together,  even  as  a  river  which,  in  some 
convulsion  of  nature,  has  forsaken  its  bed,  leaving  it 
empty  and  dry  and  desolate,  despoiled  of  all  beauty 
and  grace,  returns  once  more  to  the  places  it  formerly 
had  made  pleasant  and  glad,  and  again  fills  the  arid 
courses  with  life. 

It  was  a  silent  but  steady  process. 

He  sat  with  hands  clasped  before  him,  his  eyes  gaz 
ing  steadfastly  out  beyond  the  surrounding  desolation. 
His  lips,  moving  slightly,  gave  forth  no  audible  words. 

Islam.  The  very  name  of  their  religion  means  resigna 
tion —  submission  to  the  will  of  God. 

While  he  held  his  peace  and  mused,  his  heart  grew 
mellow  within  him,  and  at  length  he  spoke,  and  made 
confession  with  his  tongue  : 

"  It  is  Allah.  It  cometh  from  his  hand.  Who  am  I 
that  I  should  question  the  judge  of  all  the  earth,  or  say 
he  doeth  not  all  things  well?  He  hath  given.  He  hath 
taken  away  that  which  he  gave,  and  which  was  his  own 
to  take.  Let  me  hide  my  mouth  in  the  dust;  but  let 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  303 

me  not  reproach  the  Creator  and  him  who  made  me. 
Shall  I  not  yet  praise  his  holy  name  for  the  goodness  he 
shall  do  unto  me?  " 

The  pained  expression  had  gone  out  of  his  eyes.  He 
gathered  his  raiment  about  him,  and  with  the  air  of  one 
whose  mind  is  made  up,  he  turned  to  Hilwe. 

"  Arise,"  he  said.  "  Let  us  be  going.  It  is  time 
we  should  depart.  Must  I  not  see  thee  on  the  way  to 
thine  home  and  thy  people,  where  even  now  they  con 
sider  thee  as  one  dead." 

Hilwe  arose  as  he  spoke,  and  made  preparation  to 
follow  him. 

"  It  is  well,"  was  her  simple  reply. 

"  Hadst  thou  not  thought  otherwise,  Hilwe,  and  that 
it  were  not  best  at  this  time,  I  surely  would  have  taken 
thee  to  my  own  dwelling-place,  even  to  Bettir.  I  would 
have  dared  do  it.  Yet  perhaps  thou  art  right.  Thine 
is  the  more  prudent  way,  especially  in  the  great  trouble 
which  hath  befallen  us." 

As  they  passed  from  under  the  sheltering  rocks  and 
into  the  main  pathway,  they  came  into  full  view  of  the 
Valley  of  Bettir. 

Looking  up  the  winding  wady,  crowned  at  the  head 
with  its  stately  tell,  expecting  the  glad  and  pleasant 
sight  which  had  always  met  their  gaze  when  bent  in  this 
direction,  they  both  suddenly  stood  still,  appalled  and 
as  if  turned  to  stone. 

The  beautiful  valley  which,  in  all  its  loveliness,  had 
blessed  their  eyes  when  last  they  looked  upon  it,  was 
utterly  transformed  —  ruined.  They  could  scarce  be 
lieve  that  they  saw  aright.  The  Angel  of  Destruction 
had  been  there  also  —  had  stretched  his  hand  over 
height  and  hollow,  dingle  and  slope ;  the  wild  tempest- 
blast  and  cloud-burst  had  swept  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  place,  and  this  was  the  result. 

The  fast-maturing  corn  and  other  crops  were  entirely 
torn  away;  many  of  the  fruit-trees  were  uprooted, 
they  had  been  drifted  about  like  feathers ;  and  the  fair 
fields  and  pastures  which  had  smiled  so  peacefully 
three  days  ago,  were  laid  bare  and  naked  in  the  sight 
of  Heaven.  The  overcharged  aqueduct  had  burst, 


304  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

carrying  all  before  it  and  devastating  the  lower  lands. 
The  bottom  of  the  valley  was  a  pool  of  standing  water, 
filled  with  the  debris,  and  the  havoc  was  as  heart-rending 
as  it  was  complete.  The  besom  of  Euroclydon,  the 
storm-wind,  had  done  its  work  thoroughly;  the  very 
earth  was  swept  and  washed  away  by  the  tropical  rain 
deluge  —  the  work  of  years  blotted  out  in  a  moment. 

Hassan  and  Hilwe  stood,  side  by  side,  almost  mo 
tionless.  Their  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  scene  of 
wrath  and  terror,  as  if  it  had  hypnotised  them. 

"  Little  do  we  know,"  at  last  spoke  Hassan.  "  We 
are  as  fools,  and  know  nothing.  Verily  I  thought  my 
affliction  which  had  come  upon  me  grievous  and  hard 
to  be  borne  —  yea,  intolerable;  and  now,  behold,  it  is  as 
nothing  to  this  unspeakable  calamity.  We  sat  and 
lamented  our  loss,  almost  within  sight  of  this  great  and 
terrible  overthrow,  and  we  knew  it  not.  O  my  people, 
ye  are  indeed  afflicted ;  and  the  home  of  my  fathers  is 
desolate  !  Solitary  as  a  widow,  tears  are  on  her  cheeks. 
She  hath  none  to  comfort  her.  Stripped  and  peeled 
and  smitten,  how  shalt  thou,  O  Bettir !  stand  before  this 
trouble,  to  endure  it?  " 

They  could  see,  scattered  here  and  there  among  the 
uprooted  fruit-trees  and  the  soaked  and  untimely  reap- 
age  of  the  grain  fields  garnered  by  the  storm,  the 
dead  carcasses  of  sheep  and  cattle.  This  touched 
Hassan  to  the  quick.  He  groaned  in  spirit. 

"  The  flocks  and  herds  of  Bettir  were  beyond  all 
others  beautiful,  they  were  above  praise,"  he  murmured. 
"They  filled  the  pastures  of  the  valleys  and  the  hillsides 
with  gladness,  and  their  lowings  and  bleatings  rejoiced 
the  heart.  Where  shall  we  seek  them,  or  the  like  of 
them?  The  anger  of  the  heavens  hath  devoured  them. 
As  for  me,  I  have  no  sheep  to  tend.  —  But  who  am  I 
that  I  should  speak  of  myself  when  all  are  suffering? 
And  now  —  " 

He  could  say  no  more.  The  words,  broken  against 
his  grief,  refused  to  come. 

That  inexpressible  pain  —  the  agony  of  agonies  — 
the  torture  which  seizes  the  man  overwhelmed  with  mis 
fortune  and  loss,  whose  heart  is  too  strong  to  break, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  305 

compressed  as  in  a  hand  of  iron  the  heart  and  brain  of 
poor  Hassan. 

His  brain  reeled,  if  his  stalwart  legs  did  not  tremble. 
What  could  be  expected  of  him?  The  man  of  high 
gifts  and  culture,  and  of  religious  training  in  the  doc 
trines  of  Christ,  has  bent,  supine  and  despairing,  in  such 
a  trial  as  this.  Hassan,  fellah  of  the  fellaheen,  peasant 
of  peasants,  with  peculiar  environment,  narrow  horizon, 
his  knowledge  of  the  world  limited,  and  his  expe 
rience  of  life  outside  of  the  simple  daily  routine  of 
the  Palestine  shepherd  restricted  and  contracted,  how 
shall  we  judge  him? 

But  his  faith  did  not  fail  him. 

"  Yet  are  we  in  the  hands  of  God,  the  All- 
Merciful." 

This  was  his  refuge,  and  these  the  words  upon  his  lips, 
even  when  all  was  dark  about  him,  and  his  feet  had 
well-nigh  stumbled  out  of  the  way. 

"  I  am  as  a  man  who  sleeps  and  dreams,"  he  said, 
"  who  sees  strange  and  unaccountable  things,  and  does 
that  which  is  regrettable,  —  or  who  beholds  appalling 
sights,  so  that  the  hair  of  his  body  stands  on  end, 
his  heart  is  affrighted,  and  his  knees  are  bowed  with 
apprehension  of  that  which  is  coming  upon  him,  and 
v.'hich  there  is  no  escaping.  He  awakes,  and  lo,  it  is 
a  dream  —  only  a  vision  of  the  night!  But  /  do  not 
wake.  Or  if  I  wake  I  know  not,  for  the  dread  thing  is 
still  before  me!  Touch  me,  Hilwe!  See  if  I  sleep. 
Or  dost  thou,  too,  perceive  that  which  I  behold?" 

The  tears  were  pouring  down  Hilwe's  face,  and  sobs 
were  choking  her,  so  that  she  could  not  make  herself 
understood. 

She  laid  her  hand  in  his — that  useful  clever  little 
hand  of  hers,  that  had  done  so  much  work  and  good, 
lay  nestling,  like  a  brown  bird,  in  the  broad  generous 
palm  of  the  handsome  young  giant. 

"Allah  comfort  thee  !  "  she  whispered. 

The  next  moment  they  were  clasped  in  each  other's 
arms. 

"  Yea,  Allah  hath  sent  thee,  as  his  angel,  to  speak 
peace  and  comfort  to  my  soul.  Weep  not,  Hilwe.  I 


306  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

have  forgotten  myself,  and  am  no  man.  Why  should  I 
lay  my  burden  upon  thee?  Why  should  I  be  cast 
down?  Let  me  praise  Allah  and  take  courage.  May 
hap  it  is  not  as  bad  as  it  seems.  Some  of  the  flocks 
and  herds  must  have  been  driven  into  the  houses,  and 
are  saved.  And  the  upper  caves  could  not  have  been 
flooded,  and  must  have  sheltered  others." 

In  this  last,  in  the  midst  of  his  anguish,  he  spoke 
against  his  judgment,  to  soothe  the  grief  of  his 
beloved. 

There  was  that  in  the  sweet  loving  nature  of  the  man 
which  rose  above  his  personal  trouble,  and  lifted  him 
into  the  region  of  compassion  —  compassion  for  others. 

As  they  walked  together  towards  Malha,  his  mind 
was  filled  with  the  thoughts  of  what  he  would  do  to  aid 
the  stricken,  and  restore  as  much  as  possible  the  dam 
age  which  had  been  done  by  the  storm.  "  When  thou 
art  safe  in  Malha,"  he  said,  "  I  shall  return  at  once  to 
Bettir,  and  do  what  I  can  to  help  and  console  them." 

This  was  the  burden  of  their  conversation.  They 
touched  little  upon  themselves,  and  how  all  this  which 
had  happened  would  reflect  disastrously  upon  them. 
Yet  no  one  knew  better  than  they  did  how  much  more 
hopeless  than  before  was  their  cause,  and  how  almost 
insuperable  were  the  difficulties  to  be  surmounted  in  a 
country  so  welded  to  ancient  custom,  and  where  the 
possession  of  the  bride  is  obtained  only  through  the 
presenting  of  heavy  gifts  to  her  family  and  the  pay 
ment  of  a  sum  enormously  extravagant  for  a  people 
comparatively  so  poor. 

"  Yes,  I  must  do  all  I  can  to  help  them,"  he  said. 

Men,  as  well  as  nations,  are  truly  great  when,  unsel 
fishly,  they  rise  to  their  emergencies,  and  deal  with 
them  in  the  spirit  of  the  God-Man,  who  to-day  walks 
the  earth,  perhaps  nearer  than  ever  before  to  the  real 
isation  of  his  birthright  —  his  kingdom. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  307 


CHAPTER   XXVI 

WHEN  Hilwe  entered  Malha,  she  found,  as  Hassan 
had  said,  her  people  lamenting  her  as  one  who 
had  ceased  to  live.  At  first  they  almost  looked  upon 
her  as  a  spirit,  and  their  superstitious  feelings  did  not 
wear  away  for  several  days. 

They  closely  questioned  her  regarding  the  incidents 
connected  with  the  time  in  which  she  had  been  absent. 
And  though  she  made  the  best  of  the  peculiar  circum 
stances,  describing  her  great  peril,  and  her  narrow  escape 
from  death,  through  her  rescue  and  shelter  in  the  cave 
with  Hassan,  there  were  grave  surmises,  and  openly  ex 
pressed  condemnation  as  to  her  conduct,  while  they 
could  not  deny  the  necessity  of  the  case. 

It  is  probable  she  would  have  fared  worse  at  their 
hands,  and  have  experienced  the  more  severe  rigour  of 
their  inquisitorial  methods,  had  not  the  concurrence  of 
other  and  more  important  events  engrossed  their  atten 
tion. 

The  chief  of  these  was  also  connected  with  the  storm, 
and  was  of  the  most  fatal  character,  involving  the  loss  of 
many  lives.  In  some  of  its  features  it  resembled  the 
catastrophe  which  had  overtaken  Hassan  and  Hilwe  and 
had  devastated  Bettir. 

A  party  of  men,  women,  and  children,  all  Moslems, 
and  the  larger  number  pilgrims  returning  from  celebrat 
ing  the  feast  of  Neby  Moussa,  —  the  prophet  Moses, 
—  from  the  reputed  tomb  of  the  great  lawgiver,  to  es 
cape  the  sudden  violence  of  the  storm,  had  taken  refuge 
in  a  cave  situated  in  a  narrow  rocky  pass.  In  the  tre 
mendous  conflict  of  the  elements,  they  were  congratulat 
ing  themselves  on  having  escaped  the  worst,  and  at  having 
found  a  place  of  refuge,  when  there  occurred  what  was 
described  as  the  bursting  of  a  waterspout.  It  appeared 
to  be  the  centre  of  the  storm  which  had  extended  to 
Bettir.  Confined  to  the  contracted  defile,  the  immense 
body  of  water  rushed  headlong  in  what  had  all  the  char 
acter  of  a  raging  river  between  high  rocky  banks ;  and, 


308  Hassan  :   a  Fellah 

without  a  moment's  warning,  broke  into  and  rilled  the 
cave  like  a  deluge. 

It  was  a  piteous  but  swift  agony. 

A  fearful  struggle  ensued,  amid  the  shrieks  and  screams 
of  the  women  and  children.  Heroic  efforts  were  made  to 
save  life,  but  in  such  fearful  odds  even  the  strongest 
men  were  but  as  straws  and  rubbish,  dashed  about  at 
the  mercy  of  the  flood. 

When  all  was  over,  thirty-five  dead  bodies  were  taken 
out. 

The  news  of  this  sad  event  had  reached  Malha  before 
the  arrival  of  Hilwe,  and  made  a  great  impression  there, 
and  also  on  the  surrounding  country,  where  a  number 
of  those  who  had  perished  had  either  lived  or  were 
known. 

As  the  accounts  of  the  disasters  which  had  overwhelmed 
Bettir  came  in,  day  by  day,  they  also  served  to  distract 
attention,  and  were  received  with  a  grim  satisfaction 
which  occasionally  expanded  into  notes  of  triumph,  born 
of  the  old  enmity  and  hatred.  Malha  itself  had  escaped 
with  but  slight  injury,  and  so  could  look  down 
upon  Bettir  as  being  the  special  subject  of  Divine 
wrath. 

Then  followed  renewed  reports  of  the  approaching  ar 
rival  of  the  long-expected  Palestine  regiment.  It  had 
been  detained  to  subdue  a  revolt;  but  would  enter  Jeru 
salem,  doubtless,  in  a  day  or  two.  They  must  go  forth 
to  meet  it,  with  due  preparation,  and  manifestations  of 
respect  and  welcome. 

So  Hilwe  was  comparatively  overlooked. 

Hassan,  according  to  his  intention,  had  immediately 
returned  to  Bettir,  where  he  proved  to  be  an  invaluable 
aid  in  the  work  of  restoration.  The  harvest,  indeed,  had 
been  swept  away,  the  vineyards  washed  out,  and  of  the 
great  flocks  and  herds,  the  famous  sheep  and  cattle, 
but  few  remained  to  testify  as  to  what  they  had  been. 
The  people  were  impoverished.  But  of  the  fruit-trees,  a 
large  number  could  be  replanted.  Many  of  them  were 
but  slightly  shifted,  others  were  only  bent  over,  or  had 
the  branches  broken.  With  proper  attention,  the  ma 
jority  of  them  could  be  saved. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  309 

"  Let  us  come  up  to  the  help  of  Bettir,"  was  the  rally 
ing  cry  of  Hassan.  "  Let  her  sons  be  united  to  deliver 
her,  and  make  the  desolate  places  straight." 

Who  could  refuse? 

It  was  astonishing  what  a  renewed  aspect  the  place 
had  put  on  in  a  short  time.  The  aqueduct  had  been 
repaired,  and  the  water  confined  to  its  proper  channels. 
The  rubbish  had  been  cleared  off  and  burned.  The 
vineyards  had  been  replanted,  the  fruit-trees  in  great 
part  restored,  and  the  fields  and  gardens  set  in  order. 
In  all  this  Hassan  had  been  the  leading  spirit;  and,  sec 
onded  by  the  sheik  and  Chalil,  the  people  obeyed  him 
willingly. 

He  saw  the  ruined  fields  in  which  lately  the  crop  had 
been  whitening  already  to  harvest,  and  sadly  recalled  the 
joyous  sowing  of  the  grain  in  the  early  days  of  the  year. 
In  Palestine  they  sow  and  plough  at  the  same  time.  They 
cast  the  seed,  and  turn  the  furrow  upon  it.  How  plainly 
he  saw  and  heard  the  peasants  as  they  scattered  the 
wheat  broadcast  before  the  plough,  singing  their  chant, 
"  Feed  us,  O  Lord,  and  all  thy  creatures !  " 

Alas  for  that  unreaped  harvest ! 

The  whirlwind  had  gathered  it. 

"  Let  us  trust  God  and  take  courage  !  "  was  Hassan's 
cry  in  the  presence  of  the  people. 

So  keenly  did  he  suffer  from  the  loss  of  the  sheep 
which  had  been  intrusted  to  him,  that  he  felt  he  could 
not  do  enough  to  make  amends.  Yet  he  had  not  been 
to  blame. 

The  greater  part  of  the  sheep  had  not  been  Hassan's, 
but  had  belonged  to  the  sheik,  Abou  Chalil.  As  every 
one  knew,  Hassan  had  taken  great  pride  in  the  flock, 
which,  through  his  incessant  care  and  skill,  had  in 
creased  unto  a  multitude,  and  was  noted  for  its  beauty 
and  fine  condition. 

But,  much  as  the  losses  and  disaster  meant  to  the 
grand  old  patriarch,  not  a  murmur  fell  from  his  lips. 
He  had  been  well  brought  up,  and  for  many  a  year 
had  been  trained  in  that  school  of  experience  of  good 
and  evil,  of  prosperity  and  adversity,  that  he  believed 
Allah  had  appointed,  and  that  tries  the  souls  of  men,  and 


jio  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

moulds  character.  The  only  change  visible  in  him  was 
that  he  was  kinder  and  gentler  in  his  manner. 

Especially  did  he  show  this  to  Hassan,  as  if  to  assure 
him  that  he  cherished  no  bitterness  towards  him.  When 
ever  he  addressed  him  now,  it  was  "  Hassan,  my  son." 

The  young  man's  heart  was  touched,  and,  with  all  his 
pride  and  strength,  he  could  have  bent  and  kissed  the 
sheik's  feet. 

Hassan  and  Chalil  occupied,  as  heretofore,  the  old 
stone  house  which  had  been  the  dwelling  of  the  former's 
father  and  mother.  As,  wearied  from  their  toil,  both  the 
friends  at  night  lay  down  to  sleep  together,  with  the  un 
restrained  familiarity  which  had  existed  between  them 
from  boyhood,  Chalil  referred  to  this  action  of  his  sire : 

"  Didst  thou  not  hear  my  father  call  thee  his  son, 
Hassan?" 

"Verily  I  did.  And  it  warmed  and  gladdened  my 
heart,  so  that  I  well-nigh  forgot  my  losses  and  my 
trouble.  He  knows  I  loved  the  sheep,  and  would 
have  given  my  life  for  them." 

"  Yea ;  and  that  the  loss  was  through  no  fault  of  thine. 
Did  they  not  fare  alike  on  this  side?  And  was  not  a 
goodly  share  of  them  thine  own?" 

"  Yet  I  blame  myself.  I  cannot  help  it.  Though  it 
is  doubtful  that  aught  I  might  have  done  could  have 
availed  to  save  them.  Thy  father  is  a  good  man.  He 
bears  the  trouble  well." 

"  He  bears  it  well.  But  he  suffers ;  though,  in  his 
pride,  he  lets  no  one  see  it.  There  are  those  who  will 
not  be  persuaded  but  that  he  hath  a  hoard,  —  a  buried 
treasure.  But  believe  it  not.  It  is  not  true.  He  was  ever 
more  than  generous  with  his  means,  and  never  withheld 
help  from  him  who  needed  it.  He  never  refused  bread 
to  the  hungry,  nor  turned  away  from  him  who  asked  of 
him.  He  laid  not  up  treasure.  He  is  indeed  stripped 
and  peeled  ;  and  who  is  there  to  give  unto  him  ?  " 

"True,  true.  We  are  all  ruined  together.  It  will  go 
hard  with  us  till  the  earth  once  more  yields  her  strength 
and  her  increase,  and  gives  us  bread  to  eat.  And  now  I 
must  spare  the  oil  and  quench  the  light.  The  poor  man 
puts  out  his  lamp  early  in  the  night." 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  311 

Saying  which,  Hassan  extinguished  the  feeble  flicker 
ing  flame,  leaving  the  place  in  darkness. 

"Yea,  we  are  all  poor  together.  But  thou  and  I, 
Hassan,"  added  Chalil,  "we  stand  by  one  another. 
Naught  has  ever  come  between  us  to  divide  us,  or 
break  our  friendship,  —  neither  poverty  nor  riches,  sor 
row  nor  joy.  And  shall  it  not  ever  be  so?" 

"  It  is  easy  for  me  to  agree  to  that.  I  owe  thee  much, 
Chalil ;  and  that  which  I  can  never  pay  thee.  All  thou 
didst  suffer  at  Malha  - 

"  Nay,  mention  it  not.  The  accounts  of  friends  are  in 
the  heart.  Doth  not  the  old  proverb  say  that  a  sincere 
friend  ought  to  suffer  the  bite  of  a  snake  for  his  friend? 
Thou  speakest,  too,  as  if  the  weight  was  on  one  side  of 
the  balance,  and  dost  not  remember  all  that  I  owe  to 
thee.  Didst  thou  not  save  my  life  once?  " 

So  they  argued,  and  in  such  gentle  contention  fell 
asleep. 

The  next  morning,  at  early  dawn,  they  were  awake,  as 
usual,  and  hastened  to  return  to  their  labours.  Unless 
they  had  given  their  constant  supervision  to  the  work 
but  little  would  have  been  accomplished.  Among  no 
people  is  watching  so  necessary  as  with  the  Oriental. 
Unless  incessantly  watched,  workmen  and  employees 
loiter  over  their  tasks,  or  sit  down  to  smoke.  It  is  a 
perfectly-understood  fact,  which  is  supplemented  by  an 
other,  —  it  takes  such  a  large  number  of  persons  to  do 
a  very  trifling  thing.  Some  one  must  always  be  present 
to  direct  them  in  the  most  simple  operations  As  al 
ready  has  been  said,  the  Oriental  has  plenty  of  time  in 
which  to  do  nothing. 


CHAPTER   XXVII 

OUT   of  the  wreck  and  ruin  of  Bettir,  Hassan  had 
one  possession  preserved  alive.      It  was   a  pre 
cious  one  indeed.      It  was  his  horse,  an  Arab  of  the 
purest  blood,  of  that  renowned  breed  claiming  descent 


3 12  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

from  the  horse  of  the  Prophet  Mohammed  himself,  on 
which,  as  is  believed  by  every  true  Moslem,  he  had 
performed  that  miraculous  midnight  journey  from  Mecca 
to  Jerusalem. 

Besides  the  stone  house  in  the  village  which  had  been 
his  father's,  and  the  division  of  land  apportioned  to  him 
as  his  individual  share  of  the  tillage  held  in  common, 
the  horse  was  all  of  any  great  value  that  was  left  to 
Hassan. 

Without  the  least  exaggeration,  this  superb  animal 
might  be  said  to  be  worthy  of  an  emperor's  stud.  It 
had  never  been  sold.  Money  would  not  purchase  the 
noble  creature.  It  was  a  present  to  Hassan  from  a 
Bedawe  sheik  whose  life  he  had  saved  at  risk  of  his 
own.  In  recognition  of  his  inestimable  service,  the  horse 
had  become  Hassan's,  and  was  prized  accordingly. 

He  had  called  him  Al  Borak,  —  "  The  Lightning,"  — 
after  the  suppositions  mystic  steed  already  mentioned, 
on  which,  moreover,  it  was  further  held  the  Prophet  had 
ascended  to  the  seventh  heaven  and  the  presence  of  God, 
returning  to  Mecca  the  same  night. 

The  horse  loved  Hassan.  Before  he  was  very  long  in 
the  young  shepherd's  possession  there  could  be  no  doubt 
of  the  singularly  affectionate  feelings  the  beautiful  and 
sagacious  animal  possessed  for  him. 

The  joy  that  Al  Borak  exhibited  when  his  master 
mounted  him  was  at  once  noticeable,  and  was  shown 
in  numerous  ways.  He  seemed  at  such  times  a  differ 
ent  creature,  inspired  with  a  rapturous  force  that  took 
him  outside  of  himself.  The  very  weight  of  Hassan  upon 
him  gave  him  delight.  The  pressure  of  his  master's 
legs  upon  his  sides  sent  a  wild  thrill  of  pleasure  through 
the  horse,  which  carried  the  beloved  burden  with  a  glad 
ness  that  love  alone  could  inspire. 

Al  Borak  could  not  bear  that  any  one  else  should 
mount  him,  and  resisted  the  act,  — at  length  carrying  the 
hostility  so  far  as  to  attack  and  injure  those  who  per 
sisted  in  attempting  to  employ  him  in  this  way. 

Of  late,  owing  to  his  close  occupation  in  tending  the 
sheep,  Hassan  had  not  been  able  to  use  the  horse  as 
often  as  he  formerly  had  done.  But  when  he  had  to  go 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  313 

a  great  distance,  or  take  a  journey,  Al  Borak  was  imme 
diately  called  into  requisition.  He  delighted  too,  as 
occasion  permitted,  to  display  his  equestrian  skill  be 
fore  Hilwe,  whom  the  horse  soon  came  to  know,  Hilwe 
cultivating  his  friendship  by  bringing  him  pieces  of 
bread  and  other  dainties. 

Hassan  taught  him  many  pretty  tricks  and  clever 
ways,  especially  in  connection  with  Hilwe;  and  the 
horse  quickly  learned  to  bend  low  to  receive  her  on  his 
back,  at  Hassan's  word. 

When  the  disaster  befell  Bettir,  sweeping  away  their 
crops  and  herds,  and  plunging  the  villagers  into  such 
great  distress  that  many  of  them  would  have  lacked  the 
necessaries  of  life,  had  not  others,  but  little  better  off, 
come  to  their  assistance,  Hassan  had  said  to  his  friend 
Chalil :  "  It  is  not  proper  that  I  who  am  no  other  than  a 
beggar  should  keep  a  horse  that  is  fit  for  a  prince." 

He  had  made  up  his  mind  what  he  would  do ;  but 
he  did  not  tell  Chalil  till  he  had  obtained  the  latter's 
opinion  as  to  the  propriety  of  parting  with  Al  Borak. 

"  I  have  to  admit  that  thou  art  right,"  was  the  reluc 
tant  admission  of  Chalil.  "  Pity  that  it  is  so." 

"  Ay,  pity  that  it  is  so.  Al  Borak  was  a  present  to 
me.  That  is  the  only  thought  that  holds  me  back.  The 
Bedawe  who  gave  him  to  me  was  a  prince  —  a  sultan  — 
the  owner  of  five  thousand  camels.  It  is  not  every  one 
I  should  care  to  see  the  horse  with." 

The  next  morning  Hassan  met  the  sheik,  and,  repeat 
ing  what  he  had  said  as  to  the  unsuitableness  of  such  as 
he,  a  poor  shepherd  without  his  sheep,  owning  a  horse 
fit  for  a  prince,  presented  Al  Borak  to  the  sheik. 

He  had  caparisoned  the  royal  stallion  in  his  finest 
trappings.  He  looked  glorious. 

"  The  horse  is  for  thee,  O  Sheik.  I  would  honour 
thee  with  a  present.  To  thee  only  would  I  give  him ; 
and  he  will  be  with  us,  to  do  us  credit ;  and  it  will  not 
be  as  though  he  belonged  to  another  village,  or  to  a 
stranger.  Art  thou  not  worthier  than  a  prince?  Hast 
thou  not  been  a  father  to  thy  people?  " 

In  Palestine  it  is  almost  impossible  to  refuse  a  gift. 
It  is  difficult  to  do  so  anywhere. 


314  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Abou  Chalil  was  deeply  moved,  so  that  the  expres 
sion  of  his  countenance  changed,  and  for  a  space  he 
was  unable  to  speak.  He  took  Hassan's  hand  in  his 
own,  and  pressed  it  to  his  breast. 

"  My  son  Hassan,  how  shall  I  praise  thee?"  at  last 
spoke  the  sheik.  "  Thou  bringest  me  a  present  such  as 
one  king  might  give  to  another  king.  Thou  honourest 
me  when  my  head  is  in  the  dust,  when  the  shadow  of  a 
great  misfortune  hath  fallen  upon  me  and  upon  my 
people.  Not  out  of  thy  abundance  dost  thou  bring 
this  lordly  gift,  for  thou  thyself  hast  been  stricken,  and 
laid  low  with  us,  and  we  all  are  poor,  poor  indeed,  and 
well-nigh  naked ;  but  out  of  the  richness  of  thy  gener 
osity  and  love,  out  of  the  noble  thought  of  thy  heart, 
that  penury  could  not  impoverish,  hast  thou  done  this 
thing.  And  now,  my  son,  if  I  have  found  grace  in  thy 
sight,  hearken  to  me ;  and  be  not  offended,  and  take  it 
not  amiss,  nor  imagine  that  I  think  any  the  less  of  thee, 
because  I  cannot  accept  thy  gift." 

Hassan  stood  before  him  with  bowed  head. 

"  Speak,  my  father,"  he  said,  "  thy  servant  heareth." 

"  Far  be  it  from  me  to  tell  thee  what  thou  shouldst  do 
with  that  which  is  thine  own.  Yet  why  should  I  not 
show  my  heart  to  one  who  hath  dealt  as  thou  hast  with 
me?  Am  I  not  situated  even  as  thou  art  as  regards  the 
horse?  Is  he  not  beyond  my  condition  and  the  poor 
estate  into  which  I  have  fallen?  It  is  not  as  though  he 
were  accustomed  to  work  the  land.  He  hath  never 
passed  under  the  yoke.  It  would  break  his  proud  heart 
to  be  put  to  the  plough.  Neither  thou  nor  I  could  see 
it.  Ah,  no !  But  were  the  horse  indeed  mine,  to  do 
with  according  to  my  best  judgment,  I  should  take  the 
price  of  him  and  distribute  it  among  my  people  who  are 
in  want  of  seed  and  of  food,  or  to  repair  the  damage 
done  by  the  storm,  and  repay  the  money  borrowed  of 
the  usurers  —  for  are  we  not  helpless  and  in  the  hands 
of  the  money-lenders,  who  are  without  mercy,  and  know 
not  compassion?" 

"  My  father,  I  will  do  as  thou  sayest.  Thy  words  are 
the  teachings  of  wisdom.  The  horse  is  thine,  to  do  with 
according  as  thou  hast  spoken." 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  315 

As  the  words  passed  the  lips  of  Hassan,  the  aged 
sheik  fell  upon  his  neck  and  kissed  him. 

"  Blessed  be  thou,  my  son,  and  God  reward  thee  as  I 
cannot,"  he  said.  "  But  neither  I,  nor  my  son,  nor  his 
son's  son  shall  forget  to  thee  and  thine  the  thing  that 
thou  hast  done  this  day.  God  do  more  to  me  and  more 
also,  if  I  fail  to  do  as  I  have  said." 

"  Say  no  more,  my  father.  The  gift  is  naught  as 
compared  to  the  honour  I  bear  thee.  Do  with  the 
horse  as  seemeth  good  in  thine  eyes." 

"  A  certain  man  from  Jerusalem  was  here,  not  many 
days  ago,  seeking  such  a  horse  as  is  thine.  He  had 
heard  of  Al  Borak,  and  came  to  see  him.  He  gave  his 
name  as  Selim,  and  said  his  master  was  rich  and  was 
willing  to  pay  a  goodly  price  for  the  horse  if  he  was 
pleased  with  it.  And  how  can  he  help  but  be  pleased? 
There  is  not  such  another  horse  in  all  this  part  of  the 
country.  Would  it  not  be  well  for  thee  to  see  this 
man's  master  without  delay?  Let  him  see  Al  Borak. 
That  will  be  enough.  We  told  the  man,  as  we  believed, 
that  thou  wouldst  not  part  with  the  horse  for  any 
money." 

"  I  am  at  thy  disposition,"  replied  Hassan  promptly. 
"  I  will  do  in  all  things  as  thou  hast  said.  I  will  see  the 
man  this  very  day,  in  Jerusalem.  Is  not  Al  Borak  ready 
prepared  to  my  hand  to  show  him — in  fine  condition 
and  fully  caparisoned?" 

"  Yea,  he  is  in  good  shape.  I  never  saw  him  look 
better." 

"  In  all,  save  one  thing,  will  I  obey  thy  voice.  I  can 
not  take  back  my  word.  I  have  given  the  horse  to  thee. 
He  is  thine.  And  whether  the  price  be  great  or  small, 
into  thy  hands  it  shall  be  paid,  to  do  with  it  as  thou 
wiliest;  and  to  thee  shall  I  render  account." 

Hassan  had  no  difficulty  in  finding  Selim,  who  forth 
with  ushered  him  into  the  presence  of  his  master,  the 
Count  Leone  Spollato.  The  ride  from  Bettir  to  Jerusa 
lem  had  put  Hassan  and  Al  Borak  into  excellent  spirits, 
and  the  Count  hardly  knew  which  to  admire  more,  the 
superb  horse,  or  the  fascinating  young  peasant. 


316  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

The  native  on  horseback  feels  like  a  prince  —  a 
changed  and  exalted  being;  and  he  shows  this.  To 
Hassan,  so  handsome  already,  it  was  not  easy  to  add 
another  beauty  point;  but,  mounted  on  the  horse,  it 
was  accomplished. 

The  young  men  were  at  once  drawn  together,  and 
became  particularly  friendly  and  confidential.  Leone 
took  especial  pains  to  please  and  entertain  Hassan,  who 
was  easily  beguiled  into  telling  about  himself  and  his 
experiences,  in  return  for  Leone's  condescension  of  a  like 
character. 

When  Hassan  told  of  his  love  for  the  horse,  it  made 
Leone  hate  to  deprive  him  of  it. 

Then  they  rode  out  together,  Hassan  displaying  the 
fine  points  of  Al  Borak  to  perfection,  and  Leone,  carried 
away,  determining  to  own  the  beautiful  creature  if  money 
could  buy  him. 

When  Leone  demanded  the  price  he  would  take,  with 
the  characteristic  Oriental  finesse,  —  that  nice  blending 
of  the  polite  and  the  politic,  —  Hassan  left  all  that  to 
Leone's  honour. 

In  the  end,  Hassan  received  a  larger  amount  than  he 
had  expected,  though  not  more  than  he  had  appraised 
as  the  value  of  Al  Borak. 

Leone  paid  him  in  gold,  as  is  usual  in  the  Holy  City; 
in  twenty-franc  pieces,  mostly  napoleons  and  louis 
d'or,  with  a  few  Austrian,  Italian  and  Greek  coins  of 
the  same  value  interspersed. 

It  made  a  nice  little  pile  upon  the  table ;  though 
Hassan  wondered  how  it  could  be  an  equivalent  for  Al 
Borak. 

He  poured  it  into  a  small  canvas  bag,  which  he  se 
curely  tied  with  cord,  feeling  like  a  criminal. 

Presently  he  poised  the  weight  in  his  hand,  and 
smiled  as  he  thought  of  the  good  old  sheik,  and  then 
dropped  the  bag  into  the  bosom  of  his  vest. 

There  was  still  the  backsheesh,  which  Leone  willingly 
added  when  it  was  explained  to  him. 

Hassan  took  out  the  bag,  opened  it,  and  dropped  in 
the  additional  coins. 

The  Oriental,  when  you  have  completed  your  busi- 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  317 

ness  with  him,  and  paid  him,  invariably  asks  for  back- 
shcesh  —  a  present  or  gift  over  and  above  the  price 
agreed  upon.  It  is  an  immemorial  custom.  So  the 
Irish,  in  seeming  relationship,  under  similar  conditions, 
ask  for  something  to  "  boot."  "  Backsheesh  "  and 
"boot"  are  synonymous  terms  in  this  respect;  the 
"  pour-boire  "  of  the  Frenchman  is  akin.  The  English 
man,  on  such  an  occasion,  looks  at  you,  and  thinks,  but 
says  nothing,  unless,  at  great  exertion,  he  manages  to 
stammer  out  with  half-guilty  blush  the  request,  "  some 
thing  for  luck." 

Still  Hassan  lingered. 

There  evidently  was  something  weighing  on  his 
mind. 

Leone  proposed  that  they  take  another  ride. 

Hassan  agreeing,  they  went  to  the  stable. 

It  was  a  much  finer  home  than  any  Al  Borak  had 
been  accustomed  to,  from  his  youth  up  till  now.  But 
Hassan  thought  it  confined  and  close ;  and  told  Leone 
to  let  in  all  the  air  possible,  and  to  give  Al  Borak  all 
the  freedom  and  exercise  he  conveniently  could. 

This  Leone  promised  to  do,  adding  that  he  probably 
would  soon  take  him  on  a  long  journey  —  to  Damascus, 
the  Lebanon,  Ba'albec  and  Beirut. 

"Ah,  that  is  what  he  likes!"  exclaimed  Hassan. 
"You  will  make  him  love  you." 

"  If  I  possibly  can." 

"  This  time,  let  us  exchange ;  you  will  ride  Al 
Borak,"  suggested  Hassan,  "  while  I  take  your  horse." 

"  All  right,"  said  Leone,  well  pleased. 

"  You  ride  well.  But  not  exactly  like  us.  He  will 
soon  get  accustomed  to  you,  though." 

Hassan  stood  at  Al  Borak's  head  while  Leone 
mounted. 

With  his  usual  temper,  the  horse  turned,  resenting 
that  another  than  Hassan  should  take  this  liberty  with 
him.  But  Hassan  stroked  his  nose,  and  bending  over 
him  whispered  some  Arabic  words  in  his  ear. 

Leone  took  his  seat  handsomely;  and,  after  a  further 
admonitory  word  to  Al  Borak,  Hassan  mounted  the 
other  horse. 


318  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

They  rode  out  quite  a  little  distance,  Leone  manag 
ing  the  horse  admirably.  He  did  not  worry  him  by  too 
much  handling,  but  gave  him  his  own  way. 

With  the  Oriental  worship  of  beauty,  Hassan  looked 
at  Leone  approvingly. 

"  You  are  a  well-made  man,"  he  said,  speaking  in 
English.  "  You  are  by  nature  like  Al  Borak.  You 
have  in  you  what  will  make  him  love  you.  Since  I 
have  to  part  with  the  horse,  I  am  glad  that  a  man  like 
you  will  be  his  master." 

When  returning,  they  took  it  more  slowly.  Hassan 
had  many  things  he  wanted  to  say  to  Leone  about  Al 
Borak,  and  yet  it  was  with  difficulty  he  spoke.  He 
was  unable  to  say  all  he  wished  to  say ;  the  words  stuck 
in  his  throat,  and  seemed  to  choke  him. 

And  now  they  were  again  in  the  stable. 

Hassan  had  no  longer  any  excuse  for  delaying.  The 
moment  for  parting  had  come. 

Leone  had  dismounted.  The  two  young  men  stood 
together,  side  by  side,  but  were  silent. 

Hassan  stepped  forward  a  single  pace,  and  put  his 
arm  about  Al  Borak's  neck,  speaking  to  him  in  a  low 
tone,  as  if  only  for  the  horse  to  hear. 

"  We  have  been  brothers,  these  many  days,"  he  said. 
"  We  love  one  another.  Faithful  and  good  hast  thou 
been  to  me ;  and  I  have  tried  to  be  kind  to  thee  as  I 
was  able.  We  were  friends  together,  though  I  was  the 
master  and  thou  the  willing  slave.  I  brought  thee  out 
of  the  desert  which  was  thy  home,  into  a  strange  coun 
try;  but  thou  didst  cleave  to  me  all  the  closer,  and 
never  failed  me.  And  now  it  has  come  to  pass  that  we 
must  part.  I  who  was  thy  master  am  so  no  more.  I 
am  become  so  poor,  I  am  no  longer  able  to  own  thee. 
Another  is  thy  master,  and  thou  must  love  him  and 
serve  him,  and  —  and  forget  me." 

He  could  control  himself  no  longer,  but,  hiding  his 
face  against  the  horse's  neck,  sobbed  like  a  child. 

Al  Borak  turned  his  head  inquiringly,  and  then 
rubbed  it  gently  against  Hassan,  as  if  to  comfort  him. 
He  also  leaned  against  him,  throwing  his  weight  upon 
him,  as  though  he  would  embrace  him.  Hassan  patted 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


3*9 


the  neck  and  shoulder  of  the  horse  while  he  spoke  a 
few  remaining  words  to  him  that  were  scarcely  audible. 
Then,  taking  Al  Borak  by  the  bridle,  he  led  him  to 
Leone. 

"  This  is  thy  master,"  he  said  to  the  horse.  "  He  will 
love  thee.  Love  him  and  serve  him  as  thou  hast  loved 
and  served  me." 

Then,  putting  his  arm  around  Leone,  he  whispered  to 
him  some  Arabic  words. 

"  These  are  the  words  that  the  Bedawe  spoke  when 
he  gave  the  horse  to  me.  I  have  never  spoken  them 
aloud  ;  and  see  that  you  do  not.  Nor  use  them  need 
lessly.  If  ever  you  are  in  a  strait,  whisper  them  to  him. 
He  will  then  die  for  you." 

Leone  bowed  his  head. 

"Have  you  got  them?  and  will  you  remember 
them?" 

"  Yes,  I  have  them ;  and  I  shall  be  sure  to  remember 
them,  and  do  as  you  have  said,"  answered  Leone. 

"  Now  speak  the  words  to  him.  Speak  them  softly 
in  his  ear.  Let  me  see  thee  do  it." 

Leone  put  his  lips  to  the  horse's  ear,  and  whispered 
the  Arabic  words. 

They  were  as  a  spell  upon  Al  Borak. 

It  was  like  betraying  him;  and  Hassan  knew  it.  It 
was  giving  him  over  utterly  to  Leone. 

In  an  instant  the  proud  fond  horse  was  transfigured. 
His  eyes  flashed  fire;  he  flung  up  his  head,  shaking  out 
his  flowing  mane  ;  and  drew  in  the  air  through  his  dis 
tended  nostrils  as  if  he  were  sniffing  the  winds  of  the 
desert ;  while  he  stretched  out  his  limbs  as  though 
spanning  with  them  the  level  sands. 

"  It  is  well.     He  will  obey  you,  even  to  the  death." 

Hassan  had  placed  the  bridle  in  Leone's  hands ;  and 
he  now  turned  to  leave.  As  he  reached  the  door,  the 
horse  looked  on  him  —  a  wistful  look,  almost  agonizing 
in  its  intentness,  and  then  sent  out  a  long  tremulous 
whinny  that  was  like  the  cry  of  a  human  being  in  dis 
tress.  It  was  as  if  he  said : 

"And  art  thou  leaving  me  thus — I  who  have  loved 
thee  so  well  and  so  long?  Ah,  no,  no !  " 


320  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

It  was  too  much.  Hassan  stopped.  An  incoherent 
sound  like  a  groan  burst  from  his  lips. 

"  I  thought  I  could  do  it,"  he  said.     "  But  I  cannot !  " 

His  heart  beat  fast.  His  hand  went  down  into  his 
bosom.  He  drew  out  the  bag  of  gold. 

Then,  when  he  thought  of  the  noble  old  sheik,  and 
the  sufferings  of  the  impoverished  people,  and  the 
cruelty  of  the  money-lenders  and  tax-gatherers,  and  how 
all  the  sheep  the  sheik  had  intrusted  to  him  were  lost,  he 
dropped  the  bag  back  again,  covered  his  face  with  his 
hand,  and  went  out. 

Amne,  looking  through  a  lattice,  had  seen  Hassan 
come  and  go,  and  said  to  Leone : 

"  The  young  man  who  was  with  thee,  and  whose  horse 
thou  hast  bought,  Hassan  of  Bettir,  is  he  who  would 
have  married  Hilwe,  but  for  the  Thar  between  his  peo 
ple  and  the  people  of  Malha.  And  now  they  will  make 
her  marry  Abd-el-nour,  an  old  man  who  has  already 
three  wives,  but  who  has  many  flocks  and  herds  and 
other  possessions.  I  greatly  feared  the  young  man 
should  see  me,  and  hid  myself  from  him,  lest  the  people 
of  Malha  should  hear  where  I  am." 

Leone  did  not  greatly  notice  her  words,  and  made 
her  a  trivial  reply;  his  mind  was  taken  up  with  his 
recent  purchase,  and  the  thought  of  the  impression  he 
would  make  when  mounted  upon  Al  Borak.  Especially 
did  he  think  of  Miss  Warren  in  this  connection.  For 
the  fair  American,  having  carried  her  point,  had  re 
turned  to  Jerusalem,  as  she  had  promised,  and  was  still 
lingering  there.  It  was  openly  said  that  Leone  was  the 
occasion  of  this,  and  he  believed  it — he  knew  it. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  she  gave  him  what  most  men 
would  consider  great  encouragement.  Flattered  by  this, 
he  again  had  been  led  on  into  such  demonstrations  and 
attentions  as  were  unmistakable  signs  of  his  feelings 
towards  her. 

It  fanned  the  flame  of  her  vanity  to  have  in  her  train 
a  titled  cavalier  of  so  distinguished  a  presence.  How 
much  deeper  were  her  emotions,  we  need  not  consider. 
Perhaps  she  herself  was  not  quite  conscious  of  all  she 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  321 

felt.  And  when  she  arranged  to  visit  Syria,  Damascus, 
Ba'albec,  and  Beirut,  Leone  was  included  in  the  party. 

It  was  for  this  journey  he  had  been  so  anxious  to  pro 
cure  Al  Borak.  And  when,  one  morning,  the  hand 
somely  mounted  and  equipped  cavalcade  rode  out  the 
Jaffa  Gate,  and  turned  into  the  Damascus  road,  for  that 
long  trip  to  the  northward,  Al  Borak  and  his  rider  were 
the  cynosure  of  all  eyes. 

They  expected  to  make  the  journey  leisurely,  taking 
abundant  time  to  see  and  investigate  everything  of  in 
terest, —  and  there  is  much  to  interest.  They  had  planned 
to  be  gone  a  long  time.  They  had  no  reason  to  hurry, 
and  they  did  not  hurry.  Leone  had  taken  Selim  with 
him  for  his  special  attendant.  Everything  had  been 
made  as  comfortable  as  was  possible  under  the  circum 
stances.  They  were  travelling  like  royalty. 

But  Leone,  afterwards,  never  cared  to  refer  to  this 
episode  in  his  life. 


CHAPTER   XXVIII 

THE  reports  as  to  the  return  of  the  Palestine  regi 
ment  had,  this  time,  proved  true.  Hebron,  Bettir, 
Malha,  Lifta,  Ain  Karim,  and  all  the  country  round 
about  were  stirred  to  their  very  depths,  and  sent  forth 
a  mixed  multitude,  composed  of  men  and  women  and 
not  a  few  children,  to  meet  the  braves  —  "  the  sons  of 
the  Sultan,"  as  figuratively  they  may  be  called  —  who 
having  completed  the  term  of  their  military  service, 
were  now  to  be  disbanded  in  Jerusalem. 

The  day  was  bright  and  clear,  indeed  almost  oppres 
sive  with  that  piercing  glare  which  is  a  peculiarity  of 
the  land,  and  of  blinding  tendency;  and  the  heat  was 
of  that  suffocating  quality  which  made  people  remark 
that  the  sirocco  had  begun  to  blow. 

There  were  about  one  thousand  soldiers,  —  with  slight 
individual  differences,  all  generally  of  much  the  same 
appearance  and  character  —  short,  thick-set  men,  with 


322  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

broad  and  often  rounded  shoulders,  upon  which  their 
coarse  and  rather  savage-like  heads  were  so  closely  set, 
they  seemed  to  have  very  short,  or  no  necks.  They 
were  strong,  tough-looking  fellows,  accustomed  from 
their  youth  up  to  sleep  in  the  open  air,  —  capable  of  en 
during  much  exposure  and  hard  usage,  but  ungainly 
and  clumsy  in  their  movements.  They  evidently  were 
for  business,  not  for  ornament.  There  was  something 
brutal  in  .many  of  the  faces.  Perhaps  their  army  life 
had  not  improved  them.  And  there  too  was  that  about 
their  entire  physique  —  a  condensation  of  endurance, 
which  seemed  almost  a  threat  —  which  said  :  "We  come 
of  an  old  potent  stock,  and  shall  not  fail  to  project  our 
selves  into  the  future  generations." 

They  presented  a  remarkable  sight,  as,  covered  with 
dust  from  their  long  march,  they  filed  in  at  the  Jaffa 
Gate,  and  through  David  Street,  following  their  red  and 
their  green  sacred  flags,  and  their  tall,  leather-aproned 
axebearers,  past  the  Tower  of  David,  to  the  Barracks 
on  Zion's  Hill. 

They  were  accompanied  by  a  vast  concourse,  com 
posed  of  relatives  and  friends  as  well  as  sight-seers. 
These  mostly  followed  closely  in  the  rear,  calling  and 
shouting,  clapping  hands,  and  with  other  exhibitions  of 
wild  joy,  participating  in  the  eager  demonstration. 

Some  of  them  ran  along  by  the  side  of  the  soldiers, 
talking  to  them  —  asking  them  questions,  and  giving 
them  information  of  events  which  had  occurred  in  their 
absence.  Others  held  up  their  children  to  show  them,  — 
some  of  the  babes  having  been  born  while  their  fathers 
were  abroad.  Many  a  touching  scene  might  be  wit 
nessed,  the  heart  breaking  down  under  the  strain  of  its 
emotions. 

Of  course  the  soldiers  marched  on,  of  necessity  ap 
parently  regardless  of  this,  scarcely  turning  their 
heads,  and  keeping  step  to  the  querulous  droning  minor 
of  the  Turkish  band,  which  kept  reiterating,  with  per 
sistent  distracting  monotony,  sounds  uncanny  to  the  un 
accustomed  ear,  and  having  the  effect  of  a  melancholy 

jig- 
It  was  difficult  for  the  women  in  the  exuberance  of 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  323 

their  feelings  to  understand  all  this.  It  was  hard  for  the 
men  to  carry  out  the  part  of  indifference  their  discipline 
prescribed.  The  youngsters  babbled  and  crowed,  stretch 
ing  out  their  arms;  or,  frightened  at  the  strange  men, 
shrank  back,  screaming  and  crying,  on  their  mothers' 
breasts. 

On,  on,  marched  the  men,  and  continually  disap 
peared  through  the  yawning  doorway  of  the  barracks, 
which,  like  a  hungry  mouth,  swallowed  them  up.  Close 
pressed  the  crowd,  from  behind  and  from  the  sides. 
And  when  the  last  soldier  had  vanished  from  sight,  it 
seemed  as  if,  simultaneously,  the  entire  square  was  one 
mass  of  human  beings,  so  densely  packed  that  one  could 
have  walked  upon  their  heads. 

Nor  is  this  merely  a  figure  of  speech.  Here  and 
there,  up  on  high,  men,  unable  to  penetrate  the  crowd, 
might  be  seen  stepping  from  head  to  head  and  shoulder 
to  shoulder  to  reach  some  desired  place.  The  space  the 
soldiers  had  passed  through  was  blotted  out  in  a  flash, 
occupied  by  the  surging  mob  of  gesticulating  peasants 
and  townspeople  —  the  fellaheen  and  the  belladeen,  now 
inextricably  mingled. 

The  windows  were  filled  and  the  walls  and  roofs  cov 
ered  with  spectators,  till  the  surrounding  buildings  might 
be  said  to  be  alive  with  people. 

There  was  a  momentous  pause,  a  delay  impatiently 
borne  by  those  outside,  in  which,  especially,  a  certain 
process  was  passed  through  by  the  soldiers  within  the 
barrack  yard,  which  to  those  who  beheld  it  must  have 
been  a  highly  amusing  if  not  edifying  spectacle. 

It  is  not  every  day  that  one  thousand  men  can  be  seen 
all  at  once  disrobing,  for  the  purpose  of  passing  from 
the  comparatively  modern  dress  of  the  European  soldier 
into  a  garb  having  an  antiquity  of  four  thousand  years. 
Yet  this  grand  divestiture  was  the  sight  presented  be 
hind  those  blank  walls,  beneath  the  open  heavens,  in 
the  drill  yard. 

The  Turkish  officers  stood  by,  directing  the  operation, 
the  suspiciously  sedate  and  even  grave  expression  of 
their  countenances  occasionallyrelaxing  under  the  provo 
cation  of  some  unusually  mirth-provoking  incident. 


324  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

It  was  more  than  curious  to  see  those  soldiers  who  had 
passed  into  the  barracks  in  their  full  military  uniform, 
shedding  the  coarse,  dark-blue  coat  and  trousers  and 
red  fez,  presently  emerge  in  the  unconfined  fellah  garb, 
the  striped  abai  enveloping  all  alike.  It  was  difficult  to 
recognise  them  as  the  same  men.  No  doubt  it  was  a 
great  relief  to  most  of  them  to  put  off  the  tight-fitting 
modern  pantaloons  and  jackets,  and  get  back  once 
more  into  their  flowing  easy  garments,  —  though  the 
pantaloons  of  the  Turkish  army,  especially  in  the  case 
of  the  common  soldiers,  are  made  a  rather  looser  fit 
than  ordinary,  it  is  to  be  presumed  to  render  them 
more  acceptable. 

The  meetings  and  kissings  of  the  male  relatives  and 
friends  afforded  a  demonstration  such,  probably,  as  is 
seldom  or  never  beheld  in  any  other  country.  Only  the 
men  are  seen  to  kiss  —  never,  at  least  openly,  do  the 
women  participate  in  this  peculiar  osculatory  privilege. 

Some  of  the  poor  peasant  women  had  come  many 
miles  to  meet  their  husbands,  sons,  and  other  relatives, 
and  in  many  cases  had  brought  food  with  them  to  satisfy 
the  hungry  soldier  after  his  weary,  hot,  and  dusty  march. 
One  old  woman  had  brought  a  cooked  chicken,  with 
olives,  rice,  figs,  and  cheese,  as  well  as  cakes  of  bread, 
for  her  son  returned.  They  might  afterwards  have  been 
seen,  sitting  together  on  some  steps  in  the  street,  eating 
with  much  joy  and  satisfaction  the  simple,  but  to  them 
luxurious,  repast. 

It  was  the  same  woman  who,  on  the  earlier  report  of 
the  return  of  the  regiment,  had  said  rejoicingly  to  the 
Malha  women,  her  companions,  that  the  son  of  her 
strength  would  be  given  back  to  her. 

As  her  son  appeased  his  hunger,  she  kept  up  a  contin 
ual  chatter,  giving  him  all  the  news  of  the  village  and 
surrounding  country,  —  and  a  perfect  chronicle  of  what 
had  occurred  since  he  left. 

Naturally  they  had  much  to  say  upon  the  subject  of 
the  feuds  and  faction  fights. 

"There  goes  one  of  the  Yemani,"  she  exclaimed  with 
some  bitterness,  as  a  slender  young  man  with  a  conceited, 
defiant  swagger,  passed  by,  wearing  the  distinguishing 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  325 

badge  of  the  Yemani,  a  white  silk  turban  striped  with 
pink. 

Her  son,  who  belonged  to  the  Kais  side  of  the  faction, 
and  consequently  wore  a  turban  with  dark  red  and  yellow 
stripes,  hardly  deigned  to  raise  his  eyes,  much  less  to 
turn  his  head,  to  look  at  the  man. 

"  Poor  stock,"  he  muttered. 

"  Ay.  Thou  mayst  well  say  it.  Didst  thou  note  his 
pale  face,  not  dark  and  healthy  like  the  Kaiseyeh,  and 
his  effeminate  air?" 

"  There  is  no  strength  to  them,"  he  managed  to  artic 
ulate  between  his  mouthfuls. 

"  Verily  thou  art  right." 

"There  is  no  doubt  of  that.  The  wonder  is  that  our 
side  has  not  cleared  them  off  the  face  of  the  earth  long 
ago,  and  that  they  continue  to  come  back  at  us." 

"  I  have  heard  that  they  came  out  of  the  southern 
desert,  like  the  locusts  and  other  evil  things.  But  that 
was  years  ago  ;  and  I  know  not." 

"  They  come  of  Shaitan  himself,"  was  her  son's  em 
phatic  retort;  "and  are  of  no  good." 

"  They  have  got  much  of  our  land  from  us." 

"  Yes  ;  but  if  we  had  only  half  tried  before  they  got  a 
footing,  we  could  have  driven  them  out.  As  I  told  thee, 
they  have  no  strength  in  them.  How  could  they,  with 
their  pale  faces?  Well  may  we  boast  of  our  darker 
skins." 

"  Allah  be  praised  !  " 

"  Is  it  not  so  in  everything?  Thou  canst  see  for  thy 
self.  The  dark-coloured  horses  have  more  vigour  than 
those  of  lighter  colour;  the  murky  and  swarthy  cattle 
are  the  strongest  and  the  best ;  and  thou  knowest  right 
well  that  in  our  villages  the  black  and  the  dark-brown 
cocks  have  the  loudest  crow,  and  lord  it  over  and  drive 
before  them  those  weaklings  of  paler  hue ;  and  the  white 
ones  cannot  stand  up  before  them." 

Thus  was  quietly  settled  the  inferiority  of  the  Yemani, 
a  widespread  faction,  which,  in  opposition  to  the  Kaise 
yeh,  divided  even  the  narrow  limits  of  the  village  of 
Malha. 

"  But  here  comes  Kadra,"  said  his  mother.      "  Thou 


326  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

hast  seen  her  already.  The  same  as  ever.  Let  us  speak 
comfortably  to  her,  and  offer  her  a  morsel  of  bread  and 
a  draught  of  the  water,  lest  she  turn  upon  us  an  evil  eye." 

Hardly  had  she  ceased  speaking  when  Kadra  stood 
beside  them. 

"Wilt  thou  not  taste  a  morsel  of  bread,  Kadra,  and 
quench  thy  thirst  from  our  bottle?  " 

"  Ay,  that  I  will,  at  thy  generous  offer:  I  thank  thee 
kindly,"  replied  Kadra,  as  she  squatted  beside  the  mother 
of  the  young  soldier. 

"  And  is  there  any  news,  Kadra?  Thou  always  hast 
the  latest." 

"  News  there  is,"  was  the  reply;  "  and  no  good  news." 

"  Sayest  thou  so?  " 

"  Verily  and  indeed." 

"  Tell  us  it,  Kadra." 

"  Thou  seest,  over  against  the  castle,  those  two  men 
of  Bettir,  Hassan  and  the  young  sheik,  Chalil." 

"I  see  them." 

"  They  have  just  told  me  that  there  is  a  war  in  Crete, 
or  somewhere,  and  that  more  soldiers  are  required. 
The  Reserves  are  to  be  called  out,  and  there  will  be  a 
conscription,  or  I  know  not  what." 

"  It  must  be  a  mistake,"  said  the  soldier.  "  If  it  were 
so  we  would  know  of  it." 

"  They  seemed  to  have  it  straight  enough.  They  said 
the  information  had  only  just  arrived,  and  that  there 
would  be  a  proclamation  by  the  Pasha  in  a  day  or  so." 

"  Then  why  did  they  disband  us?" 

"  I  know  not,  unless  it  was  that  thou  hadst  fulfilled 
thy  time  of  service." 

"  That  would  not  have  stood  in  their  way  in  case  of 
necessity.  Besides,  they  have  held  us  already  for  several 
moons  over  our  time." 

"  Then  thou  mayest  thank  thy  stars  that  they  knew 
not  of  this  trouble  until  they  let  thee  go,  or  thou  wouldst 
not  have  got  off  so  easily.  Peradventure  they  may  even 
yet  stretch  forth  their  hand  and  take  thee." 

"  It  is  an  evil  day !  "  cried  the  poor  mother,  wringing 
her  hands.  "  Oh,  those  Turks,  how  they  abuse  us  !  We 
like  not  them,  and  they  hate  us.  They  deal  unrighteously 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  327 

with  us.  They  tax  our  lands  and  our  crops,  our  flocks 
and  herds,  and  our  trees,  whether  they  bear  or  not ;  all 
that  we  have  is  theirs ;  and  then  they  are  not  satisfied. 
They  take  our  husbands  and  our  sons  from  us,  and  place 
them  in  the  front  of  the  battle,  so  that  they  may  get 
killed.  They  put  them  where  they  themselves  would 
not  venture.  Shall  there  not  be  retribution  for  this ;  and 
will  not  Allah  take  vengeance?  " 

"  There,  there,  mother.  Speak  not  so  loud.  Those 
zaptiehs  are  listening  to  thee." 

"  Nay,  my  son,  I  spake  not  against  our  Lord  the  Sul 
tan  ;  that  be  far  from  me,"  the  frightened  woman  hurried 
to  explain.  "  Thou  knowest  we  are  always  willing  to 
render  to  him  the  things  that  are  his,  even  to  our  lives. 
But  we  are  an  unhappy  people,  through  unlawful  dealing 
and  oppression ;  and  there  is  none  to  speak  for  us,  or 
plead  our  cause  to  our  Sublime  Ruler,  the  Padishah." 

The  zaptiehs  referred  to  were  two  who  stood  immedi 
ately  opposite,  leaning  against  the  stone  parapet  guarding 
the  foss  at  the  base  of  the  Tower  of  David,  or  the  Castle, 
as  they  called  it.  They  were  no  other  than  Kiamil  Aga 
and  Assad,  his  sergeant,  and  they  were  evidently  on  the 
•watch  for  some  one. 

By  this  time  the  immense  concourse  of  people  which 
had  rilled  the  square  had  begun  to  disperse,  each  man 
returning  to  his  own  home.  The  old  historic  spot  which 
David  had  captured  from  the  over-confident  Jebusite  was 
fast  resuming  its  normal  appearance. 

The  people  descended  from  the  roofs.  Group  after 
group  went  by. 

At  length,  as  Hassan  and  Chalil  passed,  Assad  called 
the  aga's  attention. 

"  That  is  he,  Aga.     Is  it  not?  " 

"  It  is  he." 

"  I  thought,  from  the  description,  I  could  not  be 
mistaken  in  the  man." 

"  Thou  art  right,  O  most  sagacious  of  zaptiehs ! 
But  who  is  that  with  him  ?  " 

"  That  is  Chalil,  the  son  of  the  sheik  of  Bettir." 

"  Thou  sayest.  Mark  him  well,  Assad.  We  shall 
have  more  to  say  to  him,  also.  Didst  thou  not  tell  me 


328  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

that  it  was  reported  the  sheik  had  a  large  treasure  of 
silver  buried?" 

"Yea;  it  is  so  reported,  Aga." 

"  No  doubt  the  old  man  will  be  willing  to  pay  us  a 
goodly  ransom  for  his  son,  and  to  escape  our  over 
hauling.  What  thinkest  thou  ?  " 

"  It  is  most  likely." 

"  But  keep  a  close  watch  on  them." 

"  Thou  mayest  depend  I  shall." 

"  Let  them  not  escape  us.  That  Hassan  is  full  of 
cunning.  Remember  that  I  regard  thee  as  responsible 
for  him.  I  shall  hold  him,  ransom  or  no  ransom." 

"  He  is  of  comely  build,  and  will  make  a  fine  soldier. 
Didst  thou  notice  his  stature?" 

"  Ay.  It  is  not  that  I  consider.  I  have  other  ends 
in  view.  He  would  make  excellent  food  for  powder. 
It  is  a  sin  to  allow  such  a  man  to  waste  his  time  tending 
sheep,  or  settling  down,  contented  with  married  life, 
and  the  begetting  of  children,  when  he  might  be  serv 
ing  his  country  by  helping  to  defend  her  against  her 
enemies.  What  sayest  thou,  Sergeant  ?  " 

"  Thou  speakest  wisely,  Aga." 

"  Take  heed  to  my  words ;  it  will  go  hard  with  me 
but  I  shall  accomplish  it.  He  should  be  willing  to  give 
his  life  for  his  country.  It  would  be  a  crime  not  to  put 
him  where  he  can  be  of  the  most  use." 

The  docile  sergeant  smiled  appreciatively. 

"  He  would  make  a  conspicuous  figure  in  the  front 
of  the  battle,  Aga." 

"  There  is  where  I  should  like  to  test  the  courage 
and  lustihood  of  the  bulky  brute." 


CHAPTER   XXIX 

IT  was  in  the  midst  of  the  rainless  season,  those  six 
torrid    months  when  not  a   drop   of  rain    falls    in 
Palestine. 

The  hot,    ancient,  and  malodorous  dust  lay  several 
inches  thick  on  the  streets,  roads,  and  byways  of  Jeru- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  329 

salem  and  Judaea.  One  waded  through  it  as  if  it  were 
a  dry  unclean  snow.  It  clung  to  the  feet  and  clothes 
with  a  persistency  that  was  intolerable,  and  made  one 
long  to  shake  it  off,  in  a  Scriptural  or  any  other  sense, 
as  a  testimony  against  the  unrighteous  mephitic  city. 

The  day  was  unusually  oppressive  —  sweltering  — 
seething. 

That  depressing  southeast  wind,  the  dreaded  and 
loathed  sirocco,  blowing  insidiously  and  unremittingly 
from  off  the  burning  sands  of  the  Arabian  desert,  like 
the  breath  of  Tophet,  added  the  last  weight  of  misery, 
making  life  a  burden.  All  things  shrank,  warped,  col 
lapsed,  and  withered  at  its  touch.  The  heart  fainted 
before  it,  the  brain  grew  dizzy.  It  penetrated  every 
where,  even  to  the  inner  chambers,  and  there  was  no 
escape  from  it 

Looking  from  the  top  of  Mount  Zion,  a  constant 
steam  could  be  seen  rising  from  the  surface  of  the 
Dead  Sea,  four  thousand  feet  below,  as  though  it  were 
a  boiling  caldron,  or  the  crater  of  a  half-extinct  volcano  ; 
suggestive  of  the  day  when  "  the  Lord  rained  upon 
Sodom  and  upon  Gomorrah  brimstone  and  fire  out  of 
heaven."  So  the  sulphurous  steam  ascends.  The  pur 
ple  of  the  Moabite  Hills  is  blotted  out.  Not  a  vestige 
of  them  is  left. 

In  the  narrow  tortuous  streets  of  Jerusalem  there  was 
scanty  comfort  all  day. 

Out  in  the  country  parts  it  was  but  little  if  any 
better. 

The  ancient  high-places,  and  the  exposed  rocky  tells 
with  their  crowded  villages,  palpitated  in  the  blaze  of 
light  and  heat,  blinded  by  the  glare,  hopeless  of  de 
livery,  accustomed  to  endure. 

In  the  depths  of  the  glen  and  wady  of  Urtas  the  hot 
air,  without  a  current  to  stir  it,  lay  packed,  sultry  and 
still,  immovable,  and  as  if  full  of  sullen  purpose.  In  all 
the  arc  of  heaven  not  a  cloud  floated  to  relieve  the  mo 
notonous  blue.  It  looked  downward  upon  the  earth, 
implacable,  inexorable,  like  the  eye  of  some  monstrous, 
unconcerned  deity  who  would  not  help,  even  if  he 
could. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Crossing  the  northwesterly  ridge,  through  scrub  and 
brushwood,  and  by  rocky  pathways,  two  men  might 
be  seen,  coming  from  the  direction  of  Bettir,  and  walk 
ing  rapidly,  despite  the  heat.  They  were  men  of  the 
country,  —  of  the  people  of  the  land,  —  and  did  not 
seem  to  suffer  from  the  excessive  temperature  as  did  the 
stranger  and  the  townsmen  of  mixed  blood ;  but,  like 
the  ancient  high-places  and  the  exposed  tells,  were  ap 
parently  dumbly  accustomed  to  it. 

They  were  Hassan  and  Chalil.  The  detested  con 
scription  was  urgently  being  carried  out,  and  with  un 
usual  severity ;  and  both  the  men  had  received  friendly 
notice,  that  morning,  that,  just  at  present,  they  had 
best  not  be  found  in  Bettir. 

The  reported  insurrection  in  Crete  had  proved  to  be 
true.  All  the  soldiers  which  could  be  spared  from 
Jerusalem  and  Jaffa  were  at  once  sent  forward  ;  and  two 
regiments,  in  addition,  must  be  raised  with  as  little 
delay  as  possible. 

The  peasantry  were  greatly  excited,  and  were  resist 
ing  with  all  their  might  the  enforcement  of  this  most 
unpopular  levy.  They  did  not  hesitate  to  resort  to  the 
most  extreme  measures  in  such  a  cause. 

The  zaptiehs,  or  bashi-bazouks,  employed  to  bring 
in  the  men  were  often  unnecessarily  severe  and  not 
seldom  cruel  in  the  execution  of  their  duty.  They  were, 
as  is  well  known,  universally  feared  and  abhorred  by  the 
people. 

The  feeling  between  the  Syrians  and  the  Turkish 
Government  is  far  from  friendly.  There  is  little  or  no 
concealment  about  it,  even  in  the  face  of  the  danger  of 
openly  expressing  opinion  under  the  circumstances. 

The  statement  is  continually  repeated,  that  the  Syrians 
are  hated  by  the  Turks,  and  in  war-time  are  put  in 
the  front  of  the  battle,  so  that  few  of  the  men  return. 

The  prejudice  was  so  strong  after  the  Crimean  War, 
the  Syrian  regiments  suffering  severely,  that  to  pacify 
the  natives,  and  in  some  degree  counteract  this  bitter 
feeling,  and  turn  aside  their  wrath,  they  were  told  it  was 
the  Christians  —  Russians  especially  —  who  had  killed 
their  relatives  and  friends.  So  that  to  this  day  in  cer- 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  331 

tain  parts  of  Palestine  the  animosity  of  the  Moslem 
peasants  towards  the  Christians  is  intensified.  The 
regiment  from  Hebron  having  been  almost  entirely 
cut  off,  the  feeling  of  that  ancient  city  as  regards  Chris 
tians  is  decidedly  ferocious  and  fanatical. 

Yet  while  most  positively  objecting  to  leave  the 
country  and  enter  the  army,  the  peasants  usually  are 
loyal  to  the  Sultan  and  Islam,  and  quite  willing  to  fight 
for  both  within  the  limits  of  Palestine,  though  in  general 
they  have  but  little  knowledge  of  the  Moslem  religion, 
many  of  them  living  in  a  state  approaching  to  semi- 
barbarism. 

Most  of  their  manners  and  customs  are  peculiar  to 
themselves.  These  with  certain  ethnological  character 
istics  and  traditions,  together  with  their  language,  which 
differs  from  pure  Arabic,  would  seem  to  point  to  a 
Canaanitish  origin.  However,  they  are  careful  to  follow 
the  ordinary  observances  and  to  keep  the  chief  festivals 
of  the  Mohammedan  faith. 

On  descending  the  spur  of  the  hill,  Hassan  and  Chalil 
found  themselves  not  far  from  the  celebrated  "  Sealed 
Fountain"  which  feeds  the  Pools  of  Solomon,  and 
which  also  supplies  the  aqueduct  which  carries  the 
water  to  Bethlehem,  and  into  the  Temple  Enclosure  at 
Jerusalem,  where,  at  last,  the  pure  cool  stream  ascends 
into  the  so-called  Fountain  of  the  Cup,  which  stands 
amid  the  ancient  cypress  trees,  before  the  Mosque  of 
Omar,  and,  with  apparent  probability,  is  supposed  to 
occupy  the  position  of  the  Brazen  Laver  used  for  the 
ablution  of  the  priests  in  the  symbolical  ceremonial  of 
the  proud  old  Hebrew  worship. 

Both  the  men  paused,  and  looked  around  them  cau 
tiously.  Not  far  beyond  the  "  Sealed  Fountain  "  rose 
the  grey  battlemented  walls  of  the  Castle  el-Burak. 
Below  lay  the  three  wonderful  pools,  the  work  of  the 
wise  king,  majestic,  venerable,  unspeakably  grand, 
gleaming  fitfully  in  the  broad  sunshine,  as  the  warm 
breeze  passed  over  their  surface,  rippling  it  into  mur 
muring  waves  as  if  they  were  miniature  seas. 

They  fill  the  entire  breadth  of  the  upper  reach  of  the 
Valley  of  Uriels,  each  successive  pool  lower  than  the 


332  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

preceding  one,  and  they  are  separated  by  massively 
constructed  dams,  solid  earthworks,  running  at  right 
angles  across  the  valley,  pierced  with  connecting  con 
duits.  Large  enough  to  float  a  frigate  of  the  line, 
tradition  has  it  that  Herod  the  Great  instituted  the  per 
formance  of  mimic  naval  battles  upon  them.  From  the 
third  or  lowest  pool  the  water  is  distributed  to  irrigate 
the  gardens,  farther  down  the  valley,  which  are  believed 
to  be  those  referred  to  by  Solomon  when  he  says,  in 
Ecclesiastes :  "I  made  me  great  works;  I  builded  me 
houses ;  I  planted  me  vineyards ;  I  made  me  gardens 
and  orchards,  I  planted  trees  in  them  of  all  kinds  of 
fruits :  I  made  me  pools  of  water,  to  water  therewith 
the  wood  that  bringeth  forth  trees." 

At  the  present  time,  the  earliest  and  best  fruits  and 
vegetables  in  the  Jerusalem  market  are  brought  from 
these  gardens  of  El  Fureidis,  —  the  Little  Paradise,  as 
they  are  called,  and  which  is  the  very  name  applied  to 
them  by  Solomon  in  his  lament. 

The  appellation  Urtas  seems  to  be  a  corruption  of 
the  Latin  Hortus,  a  garden,  the  name  naturally  given 
the  place  by  the  Romans,  who  had  here  a  military  post. 

Etham  appears  to  have  been  another  name  for  this 
place,  and  which  Josephus  uses  in  his  fascinating  de 
scription  of  Solomon's  visits  to  these  gardens. 

Stating  that  the  king  was  possessed  of  fourteen 
hundred  chariots  and  twenty-two  thousand  horses,  the 
historian  continues :  — 

"  These  horses  also  were  so  much  exercised,  in  order 
to  their  making  a  fine  appearance,  and  running  swiftly, 
that  no  others  could,  upon  the  comparison,  appear 
either  fairer  or  swifter ;  but  they  were  at  once  the  most 
beautiful  of  all  others,  and  their  swiftness  was  incom 
parable  also.  Their  riders  also  were  a  further  orna 
ment  to  them,  being,  in  the  first  place,  young  men  in 
the  most  delightful  flower  of  their  age,  and  being  emi 
nent  for  their  largeness,  and  far  taller  than  other  men. 
They  had  also  very  long  heads  of  hair  hanging  down, 
and  were  clothed  in  garments  of  Tyrian  purple.  They 
had  also  dust  of  gold  every  day  sprinkled  on  their  hair, 
so  that  their  heads  sparkled  with  the  reflection  of  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  333 

sunbeams  from  the  gold.  The  king  himself  rode  upon 
a  chariot  in  the  midst  of  these  men,  who  were  still  in 
armour,  and  had  their  bows  fitted  to  them.  He  had 
on  a  white  garment,  and  used  to  take  his  progress  out 
of  the  city  in  the  morning.  There  was  a  certain  place 
about  fifty  furlongs  distant  from  Jerusalem,  which  is 
called  Etham,  very  pleasant;  it  is  in  fine  gardens,  and 
abounding  in  rivulets  of  water;  thither  did  he  use  to 
go  out  in  the  morning,  sitting  on  high  in  his  chariot." 

What  a  vivid  burning  glimpse  of  the  wise  yet  vo 
luptuous  king  in  all  his  glory! 

To  Hassan  and  Chalil,  looking  down  upon  the  well- 
watered  valley,  it  was  a  familiar  scene.  Since  their 
early  boyhood,  it  had  been  their  habit  to  cross  the  hills 
from  Bettir  and  visit  the  pools.  They  had  learned  to 
swim  in  them.  They  had  played  about  their  margins 
for  many  a  pleasant  hour,  mere  youths,  —  before  the 
serious  side  of  life  had  begun  to  assert  itself  for  them. 
They  remembered  the  fruits  —  the  grapes,  figs,  apricots, 
and  peaches,  the  pomegranates,  melons,  nectarines,  and 
almonds — that  the  sheltered  gardens  brought  forth  so 
abundantly.  It  was  enchanted  ground  ;  and  they  longed 
to  tread  it  once  more  in  each  other's  company. 

The  greater  the  distance  Hassan  and  Chalil  had 
placed  between  themselves  and  Bettir,  the  more  secure 
they  felt.  It  was  at  Bettir  they  would  be  searched 
for ;  and  there  they  would  be  watched  and  waited  for, 
expecting  their  return.  They  felt  comparatively  safe 
elsewhere. 

"  For  that  matter  we  can  find  hiding-places  anywhere," 
Hassan  remarked. 

"  Yea;  and  we  know  every  inch  of  the  ground,"  was 
Chain's  response. 

"  And  the  zaptiehs  are  afraid  to  venture  where  we 
would  go." 

"  As  well  they  may  be." 

Besides,  they  did  not  attach  sufficient  importance  to 
the  warning  they  had  received.  While  partly  obedient 
to  it,  it  did  not  seem  to  impress  them  as  of  immediate 
consequence. 

The  gleam  and  flash  of  the  silvery  water  beckoned 


334  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

like  a  friendly  hand  from  out  the  past  —  their  boyhood 
days,  when  they  had  spent  so  many  happy  hours  pad 
dling  in  the  refreshing  flood  or  playing  along  the  banks. 

"  The  Pools  of  Suleyman  the  Wise." 

As  Chalil  uttered  the  words,  softly  and  gently,  they 
seemed  like  a  sigh  from  his  heart,  —  a  tribute  to  sweet 
memories,  —  the  days  that  were  gone. 

"  Ay,"  came  the  response  from  Hassan. 

Each  understood  the  feeling.  Not  another  word  was 
required  in  explanation. 

"  Let  us  go  down  to  them,"  urged  Chalil,  presently. 
"  We  can  find  plenty  of  hiding-places  beyond ;  and  we 
need  not  go  near  the  castle." 

"  I  will  do  as  thou  hast  said,"  assented  Hassan. 

They  made  a  wide  detour,  and  came  out  below  the 
further  end  of  the  first  great  pool. 

The  soothing  sibilant  murmur  of  the  water  as  it  broke 
against  the  sides  of  the  pool  reached  them  in  a  low 
continuous  hum.  The  vast  reservoirs  are  partly  cut 
out  of  the  solid  rock,  partly  constructed  of  masonry, 
and,  in  places,  are  lined  with  the  hard  cement  similar 
to  that  used,  from  ancient  times,  in  the  structure  of 
cisterns,  throughout  the  country. 

"  Hearest  thou  the  voice  of  the  waters?"  asked 
Hassan. 

"  That  I  do.  It  reminds  me  of  the  day  when  we  were 
little  fellows,  before  I  was  able  to  swim,  and  when  I  fell 
in  and  came  near  drowning,  as  I  surely  would  have 
done,  had  you  not  leaped  in  and  saved  me." 

"  I  remember  it  well." 

"  We  both  came  near  drowning.  You  barely  were 
able  to  reach  the  stone  steps  with  me.  Shall  I  not 
always  remember  thou  didst  save  my  life,  and  at  the 
risk  of  thine  own,  Hassan  ?  " 

"  It  seems,  as  thou  tellest  it,  as  if  it  was  only  yester 
day,  and  that  we  still  were  boys.  It  makes  me  sad 
when  I  consider  all  the  trouble  which  hath  befallen  us 
since  that  time,  Chalil.  And  yet  methinketh  we  had 
our  troubles  then  too." 

As  they  passed  through  the  brushwood  covering  the 
slopes,  Chalil  noticed  some  scrubby  little  terebinths, 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  335 

pushing  up  among  it.     They  had  escaped  the  greedy 
quest  of  the  goats. 

"  See  the  terebinths,"  he  said,  calling  Hassan's  atten 
tion  to  them.  "  There  must  have  been  many  oaks  here 
once.  What  thinkest  thou?  " 

"  Doubtless  in  the  days  of  Suleyman,  and  perhaps 
since  that,  all  these  slopes  and  ridges  were  covered  with 
oaks  and  many  other  kinds  of  trees." 

"  But  that  was  so  long  ago  —  thousands  of  years  ago 
—  it  is  difficult  to  understand  it.  And  they  say  he  made 
the  gardens  and  these  pools  of  water  to  water  them." 

"Ay;  so  he  did;  and  many  other  marvellous  things 
made  he.  Is  it  not  written  in  the  books  he  wrote  and 
in  the  chronicles  of  the  kings?" 

By  this  time  they  had  passed  the  second  pool,  and 
were  approaching  the  third  and  last,  which  was  at  a 
considerably  lower  elevation  than  either  of  the  other 
two.  It  was  also  at  a  different  angle,  corresponding  to 
the  curve  in  the  valley.  Therefore  were  the  young 
men  more  out  of  sight  of  the  usually  travelled  way,  and 
they  felt  more  secure. 

When  they  had  reached  the  third  pool,  they  saw  that 
several  of  the  fellaheen  were  bathing  in  it.  Seeing 
Hassan  and  Chalil,  though  not  recognising  them,  they 
called  to  them  repeatedly,  — 

"  Come  in ;  the  water  is  just  right.  It  is  soft  and 
pleasant  as  milk,"  they  cried. 

"Strange,  how  like  a  frog  a  man  looks  swimming  in 
the  water,"  said  Chalil. 

"  I  have  often  thought  of  that,"  said  Hassan,  "  and 
how  in  other  ways,  also,  men  are  like  to  frogs." 

On  the  great  terminal  dam,  the  strongest  and  highest 
of  all,  and  a  magnificent  piece  of  work,  some  more  of 
the  peasants  were  gathered,  and  were  rapidly  divesting 
themselves  of  their  raiment,  one  after  another,  and 
plunging  from  the  height  into  the  pool.  They,  too, 
invited  the  new-comers  to  join  them,  while  those  in  the 
water  continued  their  eulogies  of  the  delights  they  were 
experiencing,  — 

"  Come  bathe  in  the  sweet  waters,  and  cool  thyself. 
They  are  like  unto  the  waters  of  Paradise." 


336  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

"  Let  us  have  a  swim,"  urged  Chalil.  "  It  will  cool 
and  refresh  us  for  the  rest  of  the  day." 

The  heat,  and  the  sight  of  the  others  bathing,  made 
the  temptation  too  great  to  be  easily  resisted.  Both 
the  friends  joined  the  men  on  the  dam,  and  were  soon 
prepared  for  the  bath. 

They  all  praised  the  beauty  of  the  elegant  curve 
made  by  Hassan  as  he  plunged  from  the  highest  point 
into  the  water;  and  they  wondered  at  his  diving  —  he 
coming  up  at  so  great  a  distance  from  the  place  where 
he  had  entered. 

They  thoroughly  enjoyed  the  experience,  and  all 
added  their  praises  to  those  of  the  former  eulogists  of 
the  bath,  in  the  extravagant  language  of  the  East.  It 
was  like  bathing  in  liquid  gold,  the  sun  shone  down  so 
lavishly,  so  royally. 

A  few  of  the  men  who  had  had  enough  of  the  pas 
time,  had  climbed  out,  and  were  running  to  and  fro,  on 
the  top  of  the  broad  dam,  drying  themselves  in  the  sun 
shine,  before  resuming  their  clothes ;  but  the  majority, 
including  Hassan  and  Chalil,  were  still  in  the  height  of 
their  enjoyment  in  the  pool,  when  a  sudden  alarm  rang 
out  over  the  water.  It  came  from  the  men  on  the  dam. 

"  The  zaptiehs  are  coming !  " 

In  an  instant  the  splashing  and  the  play  ceased.  The 
laughter  and  the  voices  were  silent.  For  a  moment  all 
was  so  still  the  rippling  treble  of  the  wavelets  could  be 
heard.  Then  a  strong  voice  rolled  out  the  words,  — 

"  Where  are  they?  —  Which  way  do  they  approach?" 

It  was  the  unmistakable  bass  of  Hassan. 

"  They  are  even  nigh  at  hand,"  came  back  the  answer 
from  the  men  on  the  height,  who  were  hastily  putting 
on  their  garments. 

"  Come,  Chalil;  we  have  no  time  to  lose  !  "  exclaimed 
Hassan. 

They  at  once  swam  toward  the  steps  cut  in  the  rock 
—  the  same  steps  where,  so  many  years  ago,  Hassan  had 
saved  Chalil's  life;  and  now,  reaching  them  first,  he 
helped  the  young  sheik  out. 

Standing  together,  dripping  from  the  water,  the  glori 
ous  specimen  of  manhood  turned  upon  his  friend  all  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  337 

loving  pity  of  a  father's  glance.  With  wonderful  pres 
ence  of  mind  in  that  trying  moment,  Hassan,  knowing 
that  he  would  be  singled  out  for  capture,  had  thought 
out  a  plan  of  escape. 

"  Chalil,  we  must  separate,"  he  said.  "  It  is  our  only 
hope.  Thou  must  go  one  way,  I  the  other." 

"  Nay,  Hassan  ;  rather  we  will  die  together." 

"  Do  as  I  tell  thee,  for  the  love  of  God  !  We  may 
yet  escape  to  where  thou  knowest." 

Chalil  felt  the  agony  of  the  words,  and  was  obedient 

Then,  in  that  torment-laden  interval,  so  full  of  danger, 
lowering  with  the  portents  of  what  might  come,  they 
drew  very  close  together,  cheek  to  cheek,  shoulder  to 
shoulder,  breast  to  breast,  thigh  to  thigh,  foot  to  foot, 
their  hands  clasped  in  the  form  of  the  grip  of  the  Great 
Lion  of  the  Omnipotent  Power  —  in  that  symbolic  em 
brace  and  attitude  —  that  mystic  acknowledgment  of 
the  natural  brotherhood  of  man,  handed  down  from 
countless  generations  —  from  the  time  of  him  who  had 
builded  these  vast  pools  and  the  Holy  Temple  —  yea, 
from  the  days  when  that  eager  multitude,  in  their  proud 
hope,  gathered  on  the  Plain  of  Shinar  to  lift  aloft  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth  that  haughty  Tower  whose  top 
might  reach  unto  heaven.  This  special  embrace  meant 
much  more  than  words  could  say,  though  esoteric  words 
were  not  wanting,  in  whispered  utterance. 

It  all  was  done  at  the  supreme  danger-point  —  so 
gently,  so  promptly,  so  noiselessly,  that  the  men  crowd 
ing  from  behind  out  of  the  water,  struggling  and 
scrambling  upon  the  steps,  scarce  witnessed  it. 

It  was  the  sacred  touch  of  man  to  man,  the  allegiance 
of  fellowship,  the  grip  of  faith.  It  gave  fresh  courage 
to  Hassan  and  Chalil,  who  found  in  it  renewed  assur 
ance  of  constancy,  even  to  the  death,  if  need  be. 

Oh,  the  brotherhood  of  man,  how  much  it  means ! 
What  happiness,  what  joy,  what  exaltation,  what  devo 
tion,  what  love ! 

When  they  reached  the  bank  and  the  dam  there  was 
a  hasty  seizure  of  such  of  their  clothes  as  they  could 
find.  They  did  not  attempt  to  delay  to  dress.  Hassan, 
in  the  confusion,  had  been  able  to  find  but  his  abai, 


338  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

and  this  he  had  thrown  around  him.  He  had  pointed 
out  to  Chalil  the  direction  he  should  take,  while  he 
himself  took  a  different  one. 

The  policy  of  distracting  the  attention  of  the  zaptiehs 
by  taking  different  routes  was  unquestionably  a  wise 
one,  as  well  as  an  unselfish  one  on  the  part  of  Hassan. 

His  noble  stature  at  once  made  him  a  conspicuous 
object,  and  he  evidently  was  singled  out  for  special 
attack,  as  he  had  expected.  He  had  gone  but  a  short 
distance  when  he  found  himself  confronted  by  two  of 
the  troop,  who  attempted  to  take  him. 

There  was  a  desperate  struggle,  in  which  Hassan 
knocked  down  one  of  the  men;  the  other  grappling 
with  him,  and  laying  hold  of  him,  while  still  others  were 
coming  up,  he  left  his  garment  in  the  soldier's  hands 
and  fled  from  them,  naked. 

How  swift  ever  had  been  his  feet  upon  those  hills ! 
and  now  he  was  fleeing  for  his  life.  It  were  strange  if 
he  could  not  foil  those  men  and  find  some  place  of 
concealment. 

Once  he  turned  to  look  after  Chalil,  and  saw  him 
disappear  from  sight,  down  a  declivity. 

"  It  is  well.     He  is  saved." 

He  murmured  the  words  beneath  his  breath,  and 
with  a  look  of  satisfaction,  which  was  almost  a  smile, 
upon  his  lips.  He  knew  that  the  diversion  of  attention 
which  he  had  caused  had  been  the  means  of  delivering 
his  friend. 

"  Thank  Allah,"  he  exultantly  repeated ;  "  he  is 
saved,  though  they  should  take  me.  —  But  why  should 
they  take  me?  Am  not  I  also  to  escape  from  their 
clutches?" 

While  he  spoke  with  gasping  utterance,  springing  for 
ward  with  renewed  hope  and  fortitude,  there  rang  out 
the  sharp  report  of  a  rifle,  and  a  ball  came  whizzing 
over  his  head,  dangerously  near. 

They  had  fired  to  intimidate  him,  or  perhaps  careless 
as  to  whether  they  killed  him. 

He  only  bounded  forward  more  swiftly  than  ever. 

Yes,  after  all,  he  felt  he  was  escaping  from  them. 

He  knew  of  a  cave  in  a  certain  ravine,  a  secret  place, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

a  harbour  of  refuge.  He  saw  it  now,  as  he  thought  of 
it,  —  as  plain  as  if  he  were  looking  at  it :  The  huge  gray 
rocks  heaving  and  piercing  through  the  earth,  or  in  sav 
age  confusion,  scattered  around ;  the  narrow  obscure 
opening  concealed  by  brushwood ;  the  solitariness  of 
the  region,  on  the  borders  of  the  desert.  No  one  that 
did  not  know  of  it  could  guess  there  was  such  a  den  there. 
He  would  make  for  that.  Who  could  discover  him  in 
such  a  retreat?  He  had  told  Chalil  of  it.  He,  too,  would 
find  his  way  to  the  place. 

How  rapidly  the  thoughts  coursed  through  his  brain 
as  he  ran,  —  more  rapidly  than  the  motion  of  his  feet 
over  the  ground,  urgently  as  they  smote  it.  He  imagined 
himself  already  with  Chalil,  secure  in  the  place  of  safety. 
When  this  passing  trouble  was  over,  they  could  return.  It 
would  be  but  for  a  little  while.  Then  all  v/ould  be  well. 

Thus  he  innocently  reasoned,  but  he  little  knew  what 
was  in  store  for  him. 

He  had  hardly  turned  the  curve  of  the  hill  when  im 
mediately  he  was  surrounded  with  zaptiehs.  It  seemed 
as  if  they  sprang  out  of  the  rocks  and  brushwood,  or  as 
if  the  boulders  had  turned  into  armed  men. 

Then  began  a  miserable  scuffle,  hopeless  for  Hassan. 

He  broke  away  from  the  soldier  who  had  laid  hold  of 
him,  and,  having  dealt  him  a  severe  blow,  made  a  brave 
fight.  But  what  could  his  strength  and  courage  avail 
opposed  to  so  many?  He  was  soon  overpowered. 

Held  securely  by  soldiers  on  both  sides  of  him,  they 
brought  him  to  their  captain,  who  stood  slightly  apart, 
eagerly  watching  the  scene.  That  officer  was  no  other 
than  Kiamil  Aga. 

A  look  of  ineffable  satisfaction  mingled  with  scorn  sat 
on  the  face  of  the  proud  aga  as  they  brought  Hassan 
before  him.  He  lifted  his  eyes  with  an  insolent  air  of 
superiority,  and  calmly  surveyed  the  unfortunate  young 
man  from  head  to  foot  with  a  stony,  unfriendly  stare, 
ending  in  an  insulting  smile  meant  to  reflect  on  Hassan's 
peculiar  condition.  Yet  every  limb,  member,  and  mus 
cle  of  the  young  giant  was  a  reproach  and  a  subject  of 
envy  to  the  aga. 

Hassan  was  drawn  up  to  his  full  height.     There  was 


34°  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

not  the  least  air  of  shame  or  of  the  suppliant  about  him. 
Only  at  his  brow  and  in  his  eyes  there  was  a  pained 
expression. 

He  stood  naked  before  his  enemy,  —  naked  in  the 
eyes  of  man,  but  in  the  eyes  of  God  clothed  as  an  arch 
angel,  —  in  the  robe  that  covereth  a  multitude  of  sins,  — 
in  the  wondrous  body  which  the  Creator  had  pronounced 
good,  "  the  image  of  God,"  as  the  old  Hebrews  unques 
tionably  believed. 

What  a  beautiful  thing  is  the  human  integument ! 
How  suffused  with  exquisite  colour !  How  suggestive 
of  the  high  nature  of  the  royal  creature  within,  the 
heavenly  inhabitant !  The  naked  man,  —  the  son  of 
man,  —  the  son  of  God.  What  has  he  to  be  ashamed 
of?  When  God  reveals  himself  in  his  work,  where  is  the 
creature  who  has  occasion  to  blush?  "Who  told  thee 
that  thou  wast  naked  ?  "  demands  the  Creator.  "  Have 
I  not  clothed  thee  in  this  beautiful  robe?" 

Standing  opposite  to  each  other  in  such  strange  dis 
parity,  they  both  continued  to  remain  silent  for  a  space, 
Hassan  feeling  that  every  eye  was  fixed  upon  him.  But 
there  was  no  faltering  or  flinching  in  a  single  fibre  of  the 
princely  man. 

In  a  great  treasure-house  of  art,  in  the  City  of  the 
Flower,  the  Queenly  Lily,  ever  blooming,  as  she  keeps 
her  stately  seat  upon  the  Arno,  —  beautiful,  beloved 
Florence,  —  in  the  centre  of  a  noble  hall,  lifted  on  high, 
on  an  unusually  lofty  pedestal,  all  alone,  as  unapproach 
able  in  its  magnificence,  stands  the  glorious,  colossal 
David  of  Angelo  —  a  naked  man.  All  eyes  that  be 
hold  him,  salute  and  admire ;  for  he  is  clothed  with  the 
light  immortal,  —  the  light  that  is  divine.  And  none 
finds  fault.  No  fault  can  be  found,  for  in  such  a  pres 
ence  there  is  no  place  for  the  wicked  or  the  small. 

Hassan  might  have  posed  as  the  model  for  the  David. 

"  Ha !  Thou  art  at  last  in  my  power,"  muttered  the 
aga,  after  his  cruel  silence. 

The  captured  man  spoke  not  a  word. 

"  Dost  thou  remember  me?" 

There  was  an  ominous  and  bitter  threat  in  the  words, 
and  especially  in  the  tone  in  which  they  were  uttered. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  341 

Hassan  replied  not. 

"  Answerest  thou  not?     Dost  thou  know  me?  " 

"  I  remember  thee  well,  O  Aga  !  " 

"  And  that  day  near  Malha?  " 

"  Yea.  Thou  didst  speak  comfortably  and  kindly  to 
me  then." 

"  Thinkest  thou  that  I  forget  thy  insult  and  thy  thwart 
ing  of  me?  Besides,  I  have  since  found  that  the  woman 
who  was  with  thee  was  not  thy  wife." 

"  Let  me  speak  to  thee,  Aga,  as  one  man  speaks  to 
another,  as  thou  didst  speak  to  me  that  day.  The  woman 
who  was  with  me  was  my  promised  spouse ;  yea,  more 
than  that,  was  even  as  though  she  was  my  wife." 

"  Then  thou  hadst  already  forestalled  me." 

"  I  understand  not  what  thou  meanest,  Aga." 

"  No  !  And  thinkest  thou  not  what  I  shall  do  to  thee, 
now  that  I  have  captured  thee  in  thy  high-handed  re 
sistance  to  authority?  I  might  have  slain  thee  had  I 
chosen." 

"  Kismet." 

Hassan  replied  with  but  the  single  word;  yet  there 
was  a  volume  in  it. 

"  Kismet !  Yea,  it  is  written.  And  the  writing  is  not 
to  thy  advantage.  What  hast  thou  to  say  for  thy 
self?  " 

"  Here  I  stand  before  thee,  Aga,  poor  and  naked, 
stripped  of  all  I  once  had.  Yet  am  I  not  thy  fellow- 
man?  Thou  wilt  not  deal  unmercifully  with  me." 

"  Thou  hast  no  right  to  expect  mercy." 

"  I  only  ask  that  thou  shouldst  deal  with  me  as  thou 
wouldst  have  me  deal  with  thee  didst  thou  stand  in 
my  place  this  day  and  I  in  thine." 

"  That  is  easily  said.  Thou  well  knowest  that  I  should 
not  stand  in  thy  place.  And  it  is  because  thou  standest 
where  thou  dost,  that  thou  art  worthy  of  condign  punish 
ment.  Thou  art  self-condemned,  and  without  excuse." 

As  Kiamil  Aga  spoke  the  words,  his  eyes  once  more 
were  turned  upon  the  young  man  before  him.  A  pecu 
liar  influence  gradually  possessed  and  strangely  moved 
the  captain  of  the  zaptiehs.  He  encountered  those 
mysterious  hazel  eyes.  They  appealed  to  him.  He 


342 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


could  not  remove  his  gaze.  He  felt  himself  sympathis 
ing  with  his  prisoner.  He  was  drawn  to  him. 

After  all,  how  comparatively  trifling  was  the  personal 
grievance  of  the  aga !  How  wrong  it  was  to  cherish  it ! 
And  as  to  Hassan's  resistance  of  the  government  and 
attempt  to  escape,  such  incidents  were  of  everyday 
occurrence.  Why  should  he  be  singled  out  for  especial 
punishment?  It  is  true  he  had  given  them  more  than 
ordinary  trouble.  But  what  a  handsome  fellow  he 
was ;  of  what  noble  stature  and  grand  proportions,  and 
what  superb  thews  and  sinews  he  was  endowed  with ! 
Why  should  he  hate  him?  Why  should  his  beautiful 
body  be  bruised  and  punished?  What  offence  had  it 
committed?  It  would  be  cruel;  it  would  be  wicked  to 
hurt  it.  Once  before  the  aga  had  felt  this  influence. 
What  might  it  be?  Was  it  a  touching  of  soul  and  soul, 
—  the  recognition  of  a  kinship  higher  than  any  earthly 
relation?  Once  before  he  had  partially  succumbed  to 
it.  Now  it  was  stronger  than  ever  upon  him.  He  was 
ashamed  of  his  severe  treatment  of  Hassan.  He  began 
to  feel  with  him  in  his  unfortunate  condition,  —  almost 
to  love  him.  His  hand  went  out  to  touch  him,  to  take 
hold  of  him,  to  clasp  his  hand.  He  would  have  spoken 
to  him  gently,  kindly.  But  suddenly  with  a  violent 
effort  he  recovered  himself,  he  wrenched  himself  away. 
The  spell  was  broken.  The  evil  principle  triumphed 
over  the  good. 

Had  they  been  alone,  had  they  not  been  surrounded 
by  so  many,  it  might  have  been  different.  They  might 
have  come  together,  obedient  to  the  voice  of  nature, 
which  is  the  voice  of  God. 

"  If  thou  woutdst  expect  any  mercy,"  said  the  aga,  in 
a  strained,  unnatural  voice,  "  thou  must  inform  us  as  to 
the  whereabouts  of  thy  companion,  the  young  sheik." 

"  I  know  not  where  he  is,  Aga." 

"  Thou  knowest  not !  Bethink  thee.  Where  is  he 
hiding?" 

"  Surely,  I  know  not,  Aga.  It  is  as  I  have  told  thee. 
But  —  " 

"But  what?     Speak  and  tell  what  thou  knowest." 

"  If  I  knew,  I  should  not  tell  thee.     I  am  satisfied,  yea, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  343 

am  glad  that  my  capture  should  have  been  the  means  of 
his  escaping." 

"  Take  heed  what  thou  sayest.  Thou  art  injuring 
thyself." 

The  wrath  of  the  aga  was  rising  to  the  dangerous 
point.  Yet  was  there  a  lingering  of  the  kindlier  influ 
ence,  —  the  last  flicker  of  the  taper's  flame  ere  it  leaps 
back  and  disappears,  lost  in  its  origin. 

Hassan  held  his  peace,  inflexible. 

"  If  even  now  thou  wilt  confess,  and  reveal  the  young 
sheik's  place  of  concealment;  and  —  and  if  thou  wilt 
promise  to  cease  from  all  further  efforts  to  escape,  and 
—  submit  thyself —  it  may  yet  be  well  with  thee." 

"I  cannot,  Aga.     I  can  promise  thee  nothing." 

The  words  of  Hassan  rang  out  defiant  and  clear,  so 
that  those  who  were  standing  around  heard  him. 

"  Then  thy  doom  be  upon  thine  own  head." 

It  was  the  turning-point.  The  aga  looked  towards 
his  sergeant,  Assad,  who,  with  others  of  the  troop  stood 
near,  and  exclaimed  :  "  What  use  is  there  of  any  further 
parley  with  him?  Ye  have  heard  what  he  says." 

"  Yea,  Aga,  we  have  heard,"  replied  the  sergeant.  "  It 
is  even  with  him  as  with  one  who  knows  not  his  own 
good,  and  when  he  is  dealt  with  mercifully.  His  fortune 
is  gone,  but  his  pride  remains.  Surely  it  is  unprofitable 
to  hammer  cold  iron ;  and  an  ass  cannot  be  made  a  horse 
by  beating.  There  is  nothing  to  be  had  of  him.  It 
may  well  be  said  he  has  neither  property  for  the  court 
to  take  from  him  nor  religion  for  Shaitan  to  take." 

Thus  reinforced  in  his  judgment,  the  aga  felt  mortified 
at  his  former  weakness  in  yielding  to  his  sympathies  and 
better  feelings.  And  now,  all  the  more,  did  his  accursed 
hate  take  possession  of  him.  The  recollection  of  his 
baffled  purpose  again  was  in  the  ascendency,  and  raged 
within  him.  His  strongest  passion  urged  him  to  requital. 
His  unsated  desire  cried  to  him. 

"  Knowest  thou  not  that  thy  life  is  in  my  hand?  " 

The  aga's  face  was  darkened  with  anger  as  he  ad 
dressed  his  captive. 

Hassan  stepped  forward  a  single  stride  ;  then  bent  and 
said  something  to  the  aga  which  no  one  but  themselves 
heard. 


344  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Whatever  the  words  were,  they  convulsed  the  captain. 

"  Kelb  —  dog  !  "  he  cried. 

"  Dost  thou  call  me  kelb?  " 

"  Ay.  Shemmel-ni  ya  kelb  —  turn  to  the  left,  thou 
dog !  Get  out  of  my  way !  " 

This  is  the  contemptuous  expression  sometimes  used 
by  the  Moslems  when,  in  pride  of  power,  meeting  on  the 
walk  Christians  and  other  unbelievers  in  the  Mohamme 
dan  faith.  It  was  an  intolerable  insult  to  Hassan. 

"Then  art  thou  no  true  son  of  Islam  to  call  one  of  the 
faithful  kelb  —  as  though  he  was  a  giaour — a  kaffir. 
Art  not  thou  thyself  the  kelb,  and  worse  than  a  kelb ; 
for  the  dog  knows  his  own  kind  ?  " 

Then  the  aga  drew  his  sword  and  smote  Hassan  with 
the  flat  of  it,  and  made  as  though  he  would  run  him 
through. 

But  the  eyes  of  Hassan  —  those  eyes  which  had  looked 
in  the  fierce  orbs  of  the  leopard  —  that  fiery  terror  — 
and  quelled  it  —  those  gateways  of  his  soul  sent  forth  a 
power  that  restrained  the  infuriated  captain. 

The  next  instant,  maddened  by  the  insult  of  the  stroke, 
Hassan  sprang  upon  him.  But  he  was  at  once  seized  by 
Assad  and  two  others  of  the  zaptiehs. 

"  Take  him  and  bind  him  securely,  and  put  him  with 
the  other  prisoners,  to  be  dealt  with  presently,"  com 
manded  Kiamil  Aga,  collecting  himself  sufficiently  to 
give  the  order.  "  He  is  a  dangerous  man,"  he  added. 
"  We  will  scour  the  country  for  the  young  sheik.  He 
cannot  be  far  off." 

What  if  Hassan  was,  as  he  declared,  under  the  regula 
tion  age,  and  not  yet  liable  to  military  service  ?  —  his  great 
size  and  entire  appearance  were  against  the  supposition  ; 
and  under  any  circumstances  those  high-handed  men 
would  not  care  —  would  hesitate  at  no  such  impediment. 
They  laughed  in  his  face.  He  was  in  their  power,  and 
they  did  with  him  as  they  willed. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  345 


CHAPTER  XXX 

TO  the  fellah  of  Palestine  it  is  like  death  to  be  taken 
from  home  to  serve  in  the  Turkish  army.  It 
would  be  difficult  to  exaggerate  his  feelings  in  this  re 
spect,  for  there  are  no  bounds  to  them.  To  the  free 
natural  man,  with  all  his  generous  impulses  and  ways, 
roaming  at  large  over  his  native  mountains  and  through 
glen  and  wady,  by  green  pastures  and  still  waters,  almost 
as  untrammelled  and  unrestrained  as  the  wild  creatures 
of  the  land,  —  the  life  of  the  Turkish  barracks  is  impris 
onment,  and  the  irksome  routine  of  military  drills  and 
parades  little  short  of  unbearable.  The  loss  of  his  ancient 
customs  and  habits,  and  the  change  in  his  diet,  and  from 
his  unconfined  easy  dress  into  the  tight-fitting  uniform 
of  the  soldier,  are  everyday  miseries  to  which  it  is  next 
to  impossible  to  reconcile  him. 

The  peculiar  circumstances  existing  in  the  case  of 
Hassan,  and  connecting  him  with  Hilwe,  only  intensified 
the  general  objections  and  dislike  to  army  life  as  regarded 
the  young  shepherd  of  the  hill  country  of  Judaea.  He 
thought  with  agony  and  shame  of  how  he  had  promised 
to  deliver  her ;  and  now  —  now  he  was  leaving  her  in  a 
state  worse  than  ever. 

His  desperate  resistance  had  ensured  for  him  a  more 
than  ordinarily  severe  punishment;  and,  as  may  be 
supposed,  the  hate  of  Kiamil  Aga  had  not  tended  to 
ameliorate  this.  The  jealous  captain  gloated  over  his 
prey,  and  used  him  abominably. 

Such  comfort  as  Hassan  had  taken  in  the  escape  of 
Chalil  was  of  but  short  duration.  The  young  sheik  had 
been  captured  the  very  next  day.  They  were  both  pris 
oners  together. 

"  When  bad  fortune  becomes  one's  companion,  he  will 
be  bitten  by  a  dog  although  mounted  on  a  camel,"  had 
been  Hassan's  remark  to  his  friend  on  their  sorrowful 
meeting. 

Yet  they  could  not  deny  that  they  were  a  consolation 
to  each  other  in  their  misery. 


346  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"Do  not  be  cast  down,  Hassan,"  was  Chalil's  reply; 
"  I  am  happier  to  be  with  thee  than  if  I  were  free.  Even 
in  despair  there  are  many  hopes." 

"Thou  art  right,"  responded  Hassan,  always  ready  to 
look  on  the  bright  side;  and,  referring  to  their  wretched 
ness,  he  added  :  "  Perhaps  this  very  egg,  born  of  darkness 
and  sorrow,  may  put  forth  feathers  and  wings,  and  become 
a  phoenix." 

But  in  their  hearts  they  felt  it  was  like  hoping  against 
hope. 

"  Were  it  not  for  Hilwe  and  thy  father  I  could  bear  it 
well,"  was  the  constant  expression  of  Hassan. 

Bitter  had  been  the  distress  of  Sheik  Abou  Chalil.  It 
was  now  he  felt  the  anguish  and  thorough  depth  of  his 
impoverishment.  The  village  had  not  enough  money  to 
meet  the  taxes  which  were  overdue,  and  the  payment  of 
the  amount  of  compensation  required  for  exemption  from 
military  service  was  out  of  the  question.  Even  had  the 
old  man  been  able  to  raise,  by  some  extraordinary  means, 
the  sum  necessary  to  redeem  his  son,  his  sense  of  honour 
and  of  right  prohibited  his  taking  such  a  step.  Besides, 
Chalil  would  not  permit  it. 

"  How  could  I  endure  the  shame  of  it,  to  see  Hassan 
and  others  of  our  people  go  to  the  front,  and  I,  bought 
off,  remain  at  home?" 

No  ;   it  was  plainly  an  impossibility  on  every  account. 

The  idea  that  the  sheik  had  a  treasure  of  money 
buried  somewhere  in  the  village  had  excited  the  rapa 
city  of  the  zaptiehs,  and  was  the  cause  of  their  pressing 
their  claims  all  the  more  urgently,  with  the  hope  thus 
to  tap  his  secret  hoard.  Such  cases  of  hoarding  silver 
—  secretly  burying  it — were  so  common,  they  would 
not  believe  the  protestations  of  the  sheik,  and  his  re 
peated  denials. 

"  Come  now,  O  Sheik,  and  let  us  reason  together," 
they  said  to  him.  "Why  dissemble?  If  thou  hast 
money  thou  hast  no  occasion  for  this  trouble,  and  no 
necessity  to  resist,  or  to  lose  thy  son,  or,  for  that  matter, 
any  of  thy  friends." 

But  he  had  been  a  father  to  his  people,  and  had  not 
oppressed  them  ;  he  had  ministered  of  his  own  means  to 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  347 

the  wants  of  all  who  were  distressed  and  needing  help, 
and  had  taken  naught  of  any  man,  and  the  terrible 
calamity  which  had  lately  befallen  Bettir  had  exhausted 
his  resources. 

"Think  ye  that,  had  I  the  treasure,  I  should  hold 
back,  and  not  ransom  my  son  and  my  people?"  was  his 
repeated  answer. 

But  they  believed  him  not. 

At  last  the  day  came  for  transporting  the  conscripts 
and  the  recruits,  including  the  prisoners,  to  Jerusalem, 
that  they  might  receive  their  outfit,  on  the  way  to  their 
destination.  This  latter  —  the  destination —  the  authori 
ties  had  tried  to  have  kept  secret,  though  it  was  well 
understood,  or,  at  least,  was  generally  supposed,  to  be 
Crete. 

The  men  were  brought  into  the  city  in  small  bodies, 
or  companies,  as  they  happened  to  arrive,  guarded  by 
mounted  zaptiehs,  and  securely  fastened  together,  half- 
a-dozen  or  more  in  a  bunch,  with  stout  ropes.  They 
were  dressed  in  the  native  garb ;  and,  in  some  cases,  the 
sacred  green  flag  or  guidon  was  carried  before  them  ; 
while,  with  the  hope  of  ameliorating  their  lot,  they  made 
much  ado,  clapping  their  hands,  shouting  and  chanting 
in  a  loud  voice  the  praises  of  Mohammed  and  the  Sultan, 
feigning  a  joy  which  their  captive,  bound  condition  and 
forcible  seizure  manifestly  contradicted. 

Cries  of  "  Allah  yansoor  es-Sultan  !  —  God  give  vic 
tory  to  the  Sultan !  "  continued  to  rise  from  them, 
though  frequently  drowned  in  the  shrieks  and  lamenta 
tions  of  the  women,  who  with  the  male  relatives  closely 
followed  them  into  the  city,  sometimes  to  the  very  gate 
of  the  barracks. 

Not  a  few  of  the  men,  however,  maintained  a  sullen 
silence.  There  were  certainly  two  among  them  —  Has 
san  and  Chalil — who  did  not  feign  joy. 

With  few  exceptions,  the  conscripts  were  hurried  out 
of  sight  of  their  relatives  and  friends  into  the  barracks, 
whence  some  of  them  presently  emerged,  having  under 
gone  the  strange  metamorphosis  —  the  substituting  of  the 
soldier's  uniform  for  the  discarded  peasant's  dress.  It 
was  noticeable  how  awkwardly  they  moved  about  in 


348  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

their  lately-adopted  and  generally  ill-fitting  habiliments. 
The  coarse  dark-blue  cloth  of  which  these  were  made 
was  not  seldom  threadbare  and  ragged.  They  were  old 
uniforms  for  which  the  officers  charged  the  government 
as  though  they  were  new. 

Abou  Chalil,  as  he  beheld  his  son,  captive  and  bound, 
and  in  the  hands  of  the  soldiers,  ran  forward,  and  fell 
on  his  neck,  and  kissed  him  again  and  again.  Then  he 
turned  to  Hassan,  and  embraced  and  kissed  him  likewise. 

Lifting  up  his  voice,  the  aged  sheik  lamented,  — 

"  O  Chalil,  my  son,  woe  is  me  that  I  should  live  to 
see  this  day !  Helpless  to  help  thee,  poor  and  broken, 
what  shall  I  say?  What  can  I  do?  It  were  well  that  I 
had  died  —  that  I  had  given  up  the  ghost  rather  than 
that  I  should  live  to  see  this  evil  come  upon  thee  and 
me." 

"  Do  not  take  it  to  heart,  O  my  father  !  "  said  his  son. 
"  It  will  be  more  bearable  than  thou  dost  think.  I  sor 
row  not  for  myself.  All  my  grief  is  that  thou  shouldst 
be  left  alone,  in  the  end  of  thy  days,  without  Hassan 
and  me  to  comfort  and  assist  thee  in  thy  troubles  and 
affliction." 

"Allah  give  thee  aid,  and  restore  thee  fourfold,  hon 
oured  Sheik,"  added  Hassan. 

"  O  Chalil !  O  Hassan !  Allah  hath  afflicted  and 
humbled  me  in  these  my  darkened  days.  The  crown  of 
my  honour  and  my  glory  was  taken  from  off  my  head. 
My  pride  rebelled.  I  could  not  bear  it.  I  was  ashamed. 
I  covered  my  head  with  ashes.  I  hid  my  face  in  my 
mantle.  I  hid  it  from  my  neighbours  and  friends  and 
my  own  people.  Little  did  I  think  that  worse  should 
befall  me.  Alas,  alas,  there  is  an  evil  behind  the  evil, 
and  there  is  a  sorrow  that  cannot  be  measured,  and  that 
the  mind  cannot  take  hold  of!  " 

Here  the  guards  stepped  forward  and  laid  hands  on 
Chalil  and  Hassan  to  remove  them. 

The  old  man,  desperate,  and  blinded  by  his  feelings, 
threw  himself  between,  and  tried  with  all  the  power 
remaining  in  him  to  prevent  the  removal. 

"O  Chalil,  my  son,  can  I  not  save  thee?  O  Chalil, 
my  son,  my  son !  "  cried  the  poor  father. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  349 

Roughly  pushing  him  off,  the  soldiers  proceeded  to 
carry  out  their  orders.  The  proud  old  sheik  struggled 
with  them  for  a  moment;  then,  as  they  brushed  him 
aside,  as  if  he  had  been  a  fly,  he  staggered  backward, 
trembling  in  every  limb,  his  brain  throbbing  wildly. 

Futile  were  all  his  efforts.  He  saw  the  two  young 
men  led  away.  Helpless,  baffled,  overwhelmed,  in  the 
agony  of  his  despair  he  lost  consciousness,  and  fell  pros 
trate  on  his  face  to  the  ground. 

Beholding  this,  Chalil  and  Hassan  made  a  dash  to 
rush  to  his  aid.  But  they  were  checked  and  brought 
back,  and  immediately  were  marched,  between  set  bayo 
nets,  within  the  walls  of  the  barracks. 

The  venerable  sheik,  prone  upon  the  ground,  bereft  of 
friend  and  son,  was  truly  a  pitiful  sight. 

Presently  one  brought  word  to  Yusef,  the  young  lad 
of  Bettir  who  formerly  had  waited  upon  Hassan  and 
helped  him  keep  the  sheep :  "  Behold  the  sheik 
hath  fallen  upon  the  earth,  and  is  as  one  who  is 
dead." 

Now  Yusef  with  some  others,  at  an  early  stage,  had 
been  driven  away  by  the  soldiers,  who  had  been  greatly 
annoyed  and  obstructed  by  the  crowd.  But  on  this  in 
formation  he  ran  to  where  the  sheik  lay,  and  raised  him 
upon  his  knees,  chafing  his  hands,  and  bathing  his  tem 
ples  with  water,  which  some  of  the  women,  ministering 
to  him,  had  brought. 

Under  this  care  the  afflicted  father  soon  revived, 
though  he  had  been  stunned  by  a  blow  he  had  received 
upon  the  forehead,  from  the  sharp  stones  he  had  fallen 
upon,  and  which  had  left  a  slight  wound. 

In  the  East  it  is  rare  to  find  the  aged  treated  with  dis 
respect  or  slighted.  They  are  generally  singled  out  as 
entitled  to  peculiar  regard  and  honour.  No  one  inter 
fered  to  disturb  Yusef  in  his  kindly  work,  and  several 
offered  him  assistance. 

When  the  sheik  was  quite  restored,  Yusef  suggested 
to  him  the  necessity  of  returning  to  Bettir. 

"  Certain  of  our  people,  overheard  by  me,  as  I  stood 
lately  by  the  Jaffa  Gate,  spake  of  returning  betimes,"  he 
said  to  the  sheik.  "  Had  we  not  better  join  ourselves  to 


350  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

them?  The  country  folk  are  departing.  There  is  no 
place  here  where  thou  canst  very  well  stay ;  and  the 
kahn  is  overcrowded." 

The  sheik  turned  on  him  a  bewildered  look.  It  was 
difficult  for  him  to  collect  his  thoughts,  or  make  up  his 
mind  to  leave. 

"  Chalil  —  I  want  to  see  Chalil,"  he  said. 

"  But  thou  knowest  they  will  not  let  thee  see  him.  If 
thou  returnest  in  two  or  three  days,  perchance  they  may 
let  thee  talk  with  thy  son  and  Hassan,  as  then  they  will 
be  in  their  uniform,  and  will  doubtless  be  led  out  to 
drill  and  for  other  exercise." 

Others  speaking  to  the  same  effect,  the  old  man  con 
sented  to  return. 

With  a  heavy  heart  he  passed  down  the  road  by  the 
lower  pool  of  the  Gihon,  words  of  sorrow  and  lamen 
tation  upon  his  lips  strangely  mingled  with  calls  for 
resignation. 

Outside  the  Jaffa  Gate  there  was  an  unusual  number 
of  camels  collected,  crunching  their  juiceless  and  dusty 
provender  of  chopped  straw,  a  scanty  amount  of  barley 
mixed  with  it.  As  the  drivers  loaded  some  of  them, 
the  discontented  animals  grumbled  and  growled  and 
spit,  after  their  fashion. 

"Why  so  many;  and  whence  come  they?"  some 
one  asked. 

"  They  are  lately  arrived,  and  are  intending  to  leave 
for  Jaffa,"  was  the  answer.  No  one  thought  of  their 
being  connected  with  the  movement  of  the  troops, 
though  continuing  to  remark  about  them.  But  the 
sheik  noticed  them  not. 

When  he  came  to  the  spot  where  the  lepers,  both 
men  and  women,  sat  by  the  wayside  begging  of  all  who 
passed  by,  the  miserable  creatures  clamoured  for  alms 
in  their  croaking  husky  voices,  and,  to  excite  pity, 
exhibited  the  marks  left  upon  them  by  the  loathsome 
disease. 

"  Howadji,  backsheesh  !  Howadji,  backsheesh  !  "  went 
up  the  distressful  wail  continuously. 

It  was  so  horrifying,  it  almost  shut  out  any  sympathy 
with  them  —  the  dread  of  the  abominable  thing  is  so 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  351 

overpowering.  It  was  like  the  opening  of  the  mouth 
of  Hades,  and  letting  out  the  fiends. 

The  women  lepers  that  are  with  them  too — corrup 
tion  shamelessly  mating  with  rottenness  —  they  raised 
their  shriller  voices. 

"  Woe,  woe  !     Unclean  !  Unclean  !  " 

It  was  the  yelping  of  the  damned  ! 

Invisible  power  of  goodness,  love,  and  graciousness, 
can  these  be  women,  —  these  festering  masses  of  abject 
misery;  this  uncouth  alliance  of  the  foul  and  the  grimly 
ludicrous;  these  horrors  of  deformed  hideousness?  Oh, 
the  ghastly  terror,  the  unmitigated  loathsomeness  of  it ! 
The  unspeakable,  hell-born  suggestiveness  of  the  thing! 

"  How  can  there  be  a  merciful  God,  and  permit 
such?"  exclaims  the  unaccustomed  stranger,  as  he 
holds  his  breath  in  passing  them,  lest  he  inhale  the 
contaminating,  pestilential  atmosphere. 

And  they  come  together — these  accursed  and  ab 
horrent  men  and  women.  With  all  that  putrid  repul- 
siveness ;  in  the  very  face  of  despair,  they  find  an 
allurement.  They  produce  their  kind.  And  the  feet 
of  the  little  child-leper  patter  over  the  floor.  And  the 
baby  voice,  that  shall  never  know  joy-laughter,  already 
cries  with  thickened  impeded  utterance  for  a  respite  it 
shall  never  have  till  the  hand  of  death  is  laid  upon  it. 

Of  course,  not  one  of  them  is  allowed  to  pass  inside 
the  walls  of  Jerusalem.  Hospitals,  far  outside  the  city, 
have  been  built  for  these  outcasts,  where  they  are  pro 
vided  for,  or  would  be  taken  care  of,  and  where  they 
should  be  confined.  But  they  prefer  to  come  here  and 
beg.  Even  the  humiliating  contact  with  the  world  that 
this  is,  they  cling  to  with  the  superhuman  grip  of  the 
desperate.  And  the  Turk,  to  whom  the  word  "  order  " 
is  untranslatable,  and  regulation  an  unknown  quantity, 
is  lax,  loose,  and  lenient  in  dealing  with  these  noisome 
degenerates.  Hence  the  result.  Here  and  at  St. 
Stephen's  Gate,  that  leadeth  down  to  the  Garden  of 
Gethsemane,  on  the  spot  where  tradition  says  the  first 
Christian  martyr  saw  Heaven  opened,  and  was  stoned 
to  death,  are  their  favourite  haunts. 

The   sheik   had   seldom   or   never  gone   by  without 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

bestowing  some  gift  of  food  or  money  upon  these  un 
fortunate  wretches;  but  now,  with  bowed  head,  he  was 
passing  as  though  he  heard  them  not. 

One  of  the  most  importunate  of  the  lepers,  a  great, 
burly,  middle-aged  man,  beardless  and  hairless  from 
the  disease,  rushed  forward,  determined  not  to  lose  the 
opportunity  —  indeed,  demanding  alms  as  a  right.  His 
manner  and  words  implied  that  the  sheik  in  not  respond 
ing  with  a  gift  was  committing  an  unpardonable  wrong. 
His  chest  was  bare,  exhibiting  unmistakable  signs  of 
leprosy,  as  did  his  inflamed  and  swollen  face ;  and  he 
held  up,  more  threateningly  than  beseechingly,  his 
hideously  deformed  hands,  from  which  all  the  fingers 
except  the  stumps  had  dropped  off. 

He  came  unpleasantly  and  perhaps  dangerously  near; 
and  his  sinister  manner  was  decidedly  offensive.  His 
thick,  choking  utterance  was  simply  disgusting.  As  he 
almost  blocked  the  way,  the  sheik  was  obliged  to  stop. 

"  Poor  and  wretched  as  thou  art,  thou  beholdest  one 
still  poorer  and  more  wretched,"  said  the  sad  old  chief, 
in  such  a  tone  and  with  so  awful  a  mien,  it  struck  terror 
into  the  leper. 

"  Allah  have  mercy  upon  us,"  the  diseased  wretch 
ejaculated,  falling  back  slightly. 

The  silvery  hair  and  beard  of  the  venerable  sheik,  as 
they  floated  on  the  breeze,  his  strong,  commanding 
features,  and  lofty  bearing,  gave  him  the  character  of 
one  of  the  ancient  patriarchs  or  prophets  of  the  country. 
He  leaned  upon  his  long  staff,  much  taller  than  himself, 
and  which  he  carried  not  more  to  support  his  steps 
than  as  his  wand  of  office.  It  was  the  insignia  of  the 
sheik's  rank  from  the  days  of  Abraham,  who  was,  him 
self,  naught  else  than  a  sheik. 

He  stooped  and  plucked  the  leaf  of  a  mandrake  plant 
which  had  thrust  itself  up  through  the  red  clay  on  the 
border  of  the  road. 

"  They  say  a  green  leaf  is  a  beggar's  present,"  he 
said,  holding  it  out  to  the  leper.  "  It  is  all  I  have  to 
give  thee." 

The  leper  recoiled,  not  understanding. 

"  The  sheik's  mind  wanders,"  remarked  Yusef,  aside, 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  353 

to  those  of  their  company  who  stood  near.  "  His 
trouble  has  been  too  much  for  him." 

"  Yea ;  his  sorrow  is  breaking  his  heart,"  was  the 
reply. 

Yusef  gently  took  his  hand  to  lead  him  on  the  way. 

"  Trouble  him  not,"  he  said,  addressing  the  leper. 
"Dost  thou  not  perceive  his  affliction?  His  people 
have  been  ruined ;  he  and  they  have  been  stripped  of 
all  they  possessed ;  and  his  son,  this  day,  hath  been 
taken  from  him." 

But  the  sheik  still  held  out  the  leaf  toward  the  leper. 

"  Nay,  take  it,"  he  said.  "  It  will  make  thee  potent 
in  love,"  with  sarcastic  reference  to  the  imputed  aphro- 
disiacal  virtue  of  the  mandrake. 

A  smile  broke  out  on  the  faces  of  the  men  at  the 
cutting  irony  of  the  palpable  point. 

"  Let  us  be  going,"  they  said,  and  began  to  resume 
their  journey. 

"  Allah  have  mercy  on  him  who  begs  from  a  beggar," 
murmured  the  sheik,  as  he  went  with  them. 

Many  times  he  had  to  rest  by  the  way.  Then,  over 
come  with  fatigue,  he  would  say :  "  Bettir  is  far ;  but 
hope  is  farther." 


CHAPTER   XXXI 

THAT  night  a  sudden  and  secret  order  was  sent  to 
the  garrison  in  Jerusalem.  It  was  to  the  effect 
that  the  new  regiment  should  be  marched  to  Jaffa  im 
mediately.  It  was  at  a  moment's  notice.  There  was 
to  be  no  loss  of  time.  They  were  to  set  out  that  very 
night. 

There  were  many  conjectures  as  to  the  reason  for  the 
order.  Some  said  it  was  in  consequence  of  information 
received  that  there  would  be  an  organised  attempt  made 
to  rescue  the  men  on  their  way  to  the  coast,  which  it 
was  intended  to  anticipate.  Others,  that  there  had 
arisen  urgent  necessity  for  the  presence  of  the  troops 


354  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

in  Crete.  It  is  true  Crete  was  generally  in  a  chronic 
state  of  rebellion  ;  but  this  was  a  revolt  of  extraordinary 
proportions.  Again,  not  a  few  declared  the  action  was 
simply  due  to  the  fact  that  the  military  governor,  wish 
ing  to  reduce  his  expenditures,  had  ordered  the  regi 
ment  out  of  the  country  as  soon  as  possible ;  and  that 
it  was  cooler  and  better  for  the  men  to  travel  at  night. 

All  of  these  reasons  may  have  entered  into  the  causes 
originating  the  order.  At  any  rate,  in  the  pitch  dark 
ness  of  the  night,  the  men,  awakened  out  of  their  brief 
slumber,  were  marched  through  the  Jaffa  Gate,  out  of 
the  sleeping  city.  Without  bugle,  fife,  or  drum,  unless 
the  latter  were  of  the  muffled  sort,  they  went  upon  their 
winding  and  dusty  tramp,  accompanied  by  several  com 
panies  of  regulars,  and  a  band  of  mounted  zaptiehs  — 
those  ubiquitous  horsemen,  who  might  be  said  to  have 
turned  every  way  —  pervaded  all  quarters  to  keep  the 
new  men  within  bounds,  and  prevent  desertions.  Not 
till  they  were  well  under  way,  beyond  the  first  watch 
tower  on  the  Jaffa  road,  did  the  grotesque,  melancholy 
music  begin.  Then  the  bugles,  trumpets,  drums,  and 
fifes  made  up  for  lost  time,  blaring  out  their  notes  into 
the  night,  till  the  hills  and  the  valleys  reverberated. 

The  next  morning,  wearied  and  overcome  as  he  had 
been  by  the  cruel  experiences  of  the  preceding  day, 
Abou  Chalil  arose  with  the  sun,  and  began  to  make 
preparations  for  again  visiting  Jerusalem. 

The  men  of  Bettir,  and  especially  Yusef,  employed  all 
their  persuasions  to  influence  him  to  postpone  his  visit 
till  he  had  recovered  from  the  effects  of  what  he  had 
suffered. 

"  Thou  art  more  likely  to  have  a  favourable  opportu 
nity  of  seeing  thy  son  and  Hassan  by  waiting  a  day  or 
two  longer,"  argued  Yusef. 

But  in  vain.     The  sheik  had  resolved  to  set  out. 

"  I  am  fully  persuaded  to  visit  Jerusalem  this  day.  I 
must  see  my  son.  I  must  be  near  him  for  the  little  while 
he  is  here.  It  was  wrong  of  me  to  leave  yesterday.  We 
should  have  made  arrangements  to  remain.  Besides,  I 
have  been  warned  in  a  dream,  in  a  vision  of  the  night. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  355 

It  came  to  me  in  the  midnight  watch,  when  all  was 
dark  and  still.  Did  I  not  hear  the  drums  beat  and  the 
trumpets  blow?  Yea,  the  sounds  came  soft  but  distinct, 
borne  on  the  breeze  over  the  hills.  And  then  methought 
I  saw  Chalil  beckoning  to  me;  and  I  heard  him  say, 
'Father,  come,  if  thou  wouldst  see  me  before  I  go.'" 

The  old  man  paused  ;  the  sweat  stood  in  beads  on  his 
forehead ;  in  his  earnest  anxiety  he  trembled. 

"I  woke  and  found  it  was  a  dream,"  he  continued; 
"  yet  wilt  thou  believe  me?  I  could  still  hear  the  sound 
of  the  drum  and  trumpets,  faint,  faint,  and  very  distant 
and  fine,  like  spirit  music,  from  beyond  the  hills.  Thou 
mayest  know  that  I  am  determined  to  go  to  Jerusalem. 
Even  if  it  kills  me,  I  shall  obey  the  voice." 

Seeing  it  was  useless  to  argue  further,  they  gave  way. 

He  had  chosen  Yusef  to  accompany  him,  and  all  along 
the  road  he  kept  referring  to  Chalil,  and  how,  once  more, 
he  should  embrace  him.  He  could  speak  and  think  of 
nothing  else.  He  recalled  the  days  when  his  son  was 
a  little  child,  and  he  related  many  an  anecdote  of  him, 
and  told  of  what  a  comfort  he  had  ever  been  to  him. 

At  last  they  had  passed  the  plain  of  Rephaim,  and 
stood  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  overlooking  the  Gihon 
Valley  as  it  curved  into  the  Valley  of  Hinnom,  sweeping 
the  southerly  flanks  of  Mount  Zion.  Doubtless  many 
a  king  and  warrior,  priest  and  prophet,  had  paused  here 
for  the  view  before  making  the  descent.  The  Holy  City 
was  in  sight,  facing  them,  crowning  the  heights,  the 
towers  of  the  citadel  rising  on  the  left 

"  When  I  think  he  is  within  those  towers  I  scarce  can 
contain  myself,  Yusef.  I  feel  as  if  I  must  fly  to  him,  to 
be  with  him." 

It  was  astonishing  to  see  the  sheik,  as  he  uttered  the 
words,  quicken  his  pace,  with  renewed  strength,  inspired 
by  his  feelings. 

"  I  can  scarce  keep  abreast  with  thee,"  said  Yusef, 
flattering  the  old  man.  "  Thou  art  like  a  young  roe  upon 
the  mountains.  But  spare  thyself,  O  Sheik !  Thou  hast 
plenty  of  time  before  thee." 

"  Not  when  I  am  going  to  see  my  son.  I  care  not  to 
lose  a  minute.  Would  that  I  might  stay  the  shadow 


356  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

upon  the  dial,  or  make  it  move  backward,  as  they  say 
once  happened  to  the  good  King  Hezekiah  in  this  very 
city  —  even  the  same  king  who  stopped  the  upper  water 
course  of  the  Pool  of  Gihon,  which  is  named  the 
Mamillah,  and  brought  the  water  straight  down  by  the 
underground  conduit  to  the  west  side  of  the  city  of 
David,  and  so  into  the  pool  which  is  called  Hezekiah's, 
as  my  father  told  me,  and  as  thou  seest  it  remains  unto 
this  day  in  Jerusalem.  Praise  be  to  the  All-Merciful,  we 
are  not  without  His  help.  He  will  make  me  strong  to 
bear  what  I  have  to  bear.  My  heart  is  made  glad  that 
I  shall  see  my  son  this  day." 

So  the  noble  old  sheik  held  converse  with  his  young 
companion  until  they  entered  into  the  city. 

Hardly  had  they  proceeded  a  few  paces  within  the 
walls  when  one  met  them,  an  acquaintance  of  Yusef. 
With  the  intuitive  mind  of  the  native,  the  man  conjec 
tured  the  object  of  their  visit. 

"  Thou  art  too  late,"  he  said.  "  The  regiment  left 
last  night  for  Jaffa." 

The  words  were  like  a  blow  to  the  faithful  Yusef.  But 
Abou  Chalil  heard  them  without  a  tremor.  He  did  not 
comprehend  them.  He  was  absorbed  in  the  thought  of 
seeing  his  son. 

Yusef  drew  the  man  aside  to  learn  more  of  him,  cau 
tioning  him  to  speak  low,  so  that  the  sheik  should  not 
hear. 

"  How  shall  I  break  the  bitter  tidings  to  him?"  he 
said,  when  he  had  learned  all. 

The  sheik  grew  impatient  at  the  delay. 

"  Thou  art  wasting  the  precious  time,  Yusef.  Why 
lingerest  thou  here  babbling,  when  I  want  to  see  my 
son?  I  would  see  Chalil." 

The  eager,  irritable  words  only  further  distressed  and 
unnerved  Yusef. 

They  were  standing  before  the  ruinous  entrance  of 
the  great  public  oven  on  David  Street.  Broken  stone 
steps  descended  into  the  yawning  arched  mouth  of  the 
dark  den  —  gloomy  as  the  dwelling  of  Erebus  and  Nox. 
In  the  rear  was  the  baking  place.  It  was  a  Rembrandt-like 
interior —  a  few  high  lights  amid  a  thousand  shadows. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  357 

The  one  thought  possessed  Yusef — to  postpone  as 
long  as  possible  the  evil  news. 

"  I  find  there  will  be  some  trouble  in  this  matter  of 
seeing  thy  son,"  he  replied.  "  Sit  thou  here ;  I  shall 
get  thee  a  place  to  rest,  while  I  go  yonder  to  inquire; 
and  presently  I  shall  bring  thee  word." 

While  yet  Yusef  spoke,  he  took  the  sheik's  hand,  and 
without  giving  him  time  to  consider,  led  him  down  the 
steps  into  the  musty,  archaic  bakery. 

After  a  few  words  with  the  baker,  the  latter  pointed 
out  a  stone  bench  near  the  mouth  of  the  den,  where  the 
old  man  might  sit  till  Yusef  returned. 

With  a  sorry  countenance  and  sad  heart  the  lad  went 
up  out  of  the  murky  place  into  the  strong  sunlight  of 
the  street,  leaving  behind  the  sheik,  who  was  half  minded 
to  follow  him. 

As  he  got  out  of  sight,  Yusef  smote  his  head  and 
his  breast  with  his  hand. 

"  Woe  is  me,"  he  said ;  "  I  am  sorely  perplexed  this 
day.  How  shall  I  tell  this  father  what  hath  befallen 
him?  Let  me  think;  let  me  ponder.  He  surely  will 
know  soon  enough  his  affliction.  I  do  him  no  wrong  if 
I  delay  telling  him.  There  too  may  be  some  mistake. 
Chalil  may  still  be  here." 

He  turned  to  the  right  and  went  up  the  slope  of  Zion's 
Hill,  past  the  citadel,  towards  the  Turkish  barracks,  in 
quiring  more  particularly  of  those  he  met  as  to  the  facts. 
The  answers  he  received  were  invariably  to  the  same 
effect  as  the  information  already  heard. 

A  soldier,  sent  on  some  errand  by  his  officer,  came 
shuffling  down  the  hill  in  his  loose  slippered  shoes  and 
stockingless  feet,  his  clumsy  ill-fitting  uniform  of  rough 
blue  cloth,  ragged  and  patched,  making  him  resemble 
more  a  scarecrow  than  a  soldier.  The  tassel  was  gone 
from  his  scarlet  fez.  Poor  dumb  Son  of  the  Sultan,  it 
was  two  years  since  he  had  received  any  pay. 

"  When  I  shall  get  any,  Allah  alone  knows,"  he  had 
said,  sorrowfully  but  resignedly. 

His  heavy  dull  face  had  little  of  responsiveness  in  it. 
How  could  it  have  aught  but  the  reflection  of  the  shame 
less  treatment  he  had  received  ?  Where  was  the  image 


358  Hassan:  a  Fallah 

of  God  left  in  him?  He  had  been  beaten  oft,  and  used 
worse  than  a  dog.  No  wonder  if  what  his  fellow-man 
had  done  to  him  had  turned  him  into  a  brute. 

"  I  shall  ask  him ;  he  will  know  for  sure,  and  I  shall 
let  that  suffice." 

So  spoke  Yusef,  and  as  he  and  the  soldier  met,  the 
decisive  question  was  put. 

It  was  Sorrow  interrogating  Misery. 

The  stolid  face  of  the  soldier  relaxed.  The  coarse 
mouth  parted  to  aid  in  his  comprehension  of  the  case. 
There  was  the  sympathetic  click  of  the  tongue  and 
hopeless  shake  of  the  head.  Then  the  answer  came :  - 

"  Yea,  it  is  even  so.  The  whole  regiment  marched 
for  Jaffa  last  night,  —  Chalil,  Hassan,  all.  There  was 
not  a  man  of  them  left  behind." 

Abou  Chalil  sat  on  the  stone  bench  at  the  entrance  to 
the  bakery.  He  grew  restless  and  impatient,  yearning  to 
see  his  son,  and  wondering  at  the  detention  of  Yusef. 

"  I  am  aweary  waiting  to  see  Chalil,"  he  muttered. 
"  Allah  be  good  to  us." 

The  details  and  incidents  connected  with  the  ancient 
house  of  bread  for  a  while  drew  his  attention.  He 
watched  the  people  as  they  brought,  on  flat  square  boards, 
borne  on  their  heads,  the  dough  moulded  into  cakes  of 
bread,  ready  for  baking.  Others  were  seen  carrying 
away  with  them  in  a  similar  fashion  or  in  collapsable  rush 
baskets  and  coarse  sackcloth  bags  the  baked  loaves. 
The  baker  was  busy  the  entire  time  keeping  his  oven 
heated  and  attending  to  the  bread.  The  peculiar  fuel 
employed  by  him  was,  as  usual  in  Jerusalem,  the  refuse 
of  the  olive,  which  is  preserved  for  the  purpose  after  the 
extraction  of  the  oil. 

The  old  man  watched  him  like  a  child  as  he  kept  feed 
ing  his  fire,  running  in  batches  of  the  cakes  with  the  flat 
shovel  or  spatula,  and,  when  they  were  baked  to  a  turn, 
drawing  them  out  and  piling  them  on  one  side,  in 
golden-brown  heaps,  which  sent  out  an  appetising  odour. 

These  flat  round  cakes  what  memories  they  hold  ! 
Ever  since  the  days  when  Sarah  at  Mamre  made  cakes 
upon  the  hearth  for  Abraham's  heavenly  visitants  they 
have  been  the  unleavened  bread  of  Palestine.  This  too 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  359 

was  the  bread  broken  by  the  Redeemer  in  symbol  of  his 
body  at  the  Last  Supper  when  he  kept  the  Passover,  the 
Feast  of  Unleavened  Bread.  But  such  high  significance 
as  it  might  possess  was  all  unknown  to  the  sheik  of 
Bettir.  For  he  knew  not  the  Christ. 

Hungry  from  his  journey,  the  sight  and  savour  of  the 
fresh  warm  bread  woke  within  Abou  Chalil  a  natural 
craving.  Yet  he  thought  not  of  satisfying  it.  He 
sat  so  silent  he  might  be  supposed  to  be  dumb. 

The  baker  saw  there  was  some  peculiar  trouble  in  the 
case,  and  brought  him  a  small  cake  of  the  bread.  He  also 
lowered  a  porous  bottle  of  water  from  where  it  was  sus 
pended  in  the  current  of  air  and  gave  him  to  drink,  tell 
ing  him  it  was  from  the  renowned  Well  of  Moses,  from 
the  Temple  Enclosure,  the  coolest,  purest  and  best  water 
in  Jerusalem,  sold  by  the  shereefs  of  the  Mosque  of  Omar 
at  a  high  price. 

The  fevered  old  man  drank  of  the  water  gratefully,  and 
out  of  courtesy  he  broke  off  small  pieces  of  the  bread  and 
tried  to  eat  of  them.  But  he  swallowed  them  with  diffi 
culty.  The  fever  was  evidently  stronger  than  his  hunger, 
and  there  was  still  a  stronger  desire  than  that  of  the  de 
vouring  fever,  the  hunger  of  the  heart,  which  required 
other  food  to  satisfy  it. 

At  last  Yusef  appeared.  The  sheik  hastened  to  meet 
him. 

"  Where  hast  thou  been?  And  why  hast  thou  been  so 
long  absent?  Where  is  my  son?" 

"  Father,  how  can  I  have  the  heart  to  tell  thee?  All 
our  efforts  are  for  nothing.  Thy  son  and  Hassan  and 
the  entire  regiment  have  departed  for  the  coast.  They 
left  last  night." 

"  Tellest  thou  me  this?  How  canst  thou  speak  so 
falsely?  Hast  thou  no  shame  to  deceive  me  as  thou 
hast  and  to  betray  me?  I  must  see  my  son.  The  officer 
will  not  refuse  me." 

"  Verily  it  is  as  I  tell  thee,  Sheik." 

"  Oh,  what  time  hath  been  lost!  Yet,  if  thou  speak- 
est  truth,  even  now  it  is  not  too  late.  Thou  mayest  yet 
redeem  thyself.  Saddle  me  the  ass ;  we  shall  assuredly 
overtake  them." 


360  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Yusef  perceived  the  sheik's  trouble  had  been  too  much 
for  him,  and  had  disturbed  his  mind. 

"  Thou  art  not  in  Bettir,"  he  said.  "  And  thy  white 
mule  and  ass,  fit  for  the  sons  of  kings,  as  thou  knowest, 
O  Sheik,  are  dead  !  Besides,  thou  art  not  able  to  undergo 
the  fatigue  of  the  journey." 

"  Thou  knowest  not  \vhat  I  can  endure.  Wilt  thou  not 
obey  my  voice?  Get  thee  to  a  neighbour,  he  will  lend 
me  a  beast.  But,  alas,  I  perceive  my  strength  and  my 
authority  are  gone,  or  thou  wouldst  not  treat  me  thus  !  " 

"  Say  not  so,  honoured  Sheik.  Have  I  not  promised 
to  abide  with  thee  till  the  last.  And  though  I  cannot 
restore  thy  son  to  thee,  I  would  help  thee  bear  the  loss." 

"  I  crave  thy  pardon  if  I  have  wronged  thee,  Yusef. 
Forgive  me.  I  know  not  what  I  say,"  replied  the  sheik, 
as  he  went  up  the  shattered  steps  from  the  public  oven, 
leaning  upon  the  lad.  "  But  help  me  to  find  him." 

Once  out  upon  the  street,  they  caught  sight  of  a  bin- 
bashi,  or  major  of  the  Turkish  army,  who  happened  to  go 
by.  The  old  sheik,  in  whose  mind  lingered  the  hope 
that  there  might  be  some  mistake,  —  that  Chalil  was  still 
in  the  city — ran  to  the  officer  and,  falling  at  his  feet, 
caught  his  hand  and  kissed  it. 

"  I  beseech  thee,  most  noble  Bin-Bashi,  in  the  name 
of  Allah  let  me  see  my  son.  Salam  'aleikom,  —  peace 
be  upon  thee ;  thou  art  too  merciful  to  prevent  a  father 
speaking  to  his  son." 

The  heart-rending  cry  of  Abou  Chalil  was  unintelli 
gible  to  the  bin-bashi ;  but  Yusef,  hastening  up,  made 
explanation. 

"Ah,  I  perceive  thy  son  is  the  friend  of  the  young 
giant  from  Bettir  who  gave  us  so  much  trouble.  Then  I 
can  only  inform  thee  he  is  by  this  time  well  advanced  on 
the  road  to  Jaffa." 

The  words  of  the  bin-bashi  were  a  doom.  The  last 
hope  of  Chalil's  being  in  Jerusalem  was  gone. 

The  sheik  sank  in  a  heap  upon  the  pavement.  His 
tarboosh  and  turban  had  fallen  from  his  head,  baring 
his  silvery  locks  in  the  sight  of  all  who  were  near.  His 
lips  moved,  but  no  sound  that  Yusef  could  distinguish 
proceeded  from  them,  though  his  arms  were  about  the 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  361 

old  man  and  he  held  the  venerated  head  against  his 
breast,  bending  close  to  catch  the  slightest  word. 

A  crowd  of  men  had  gathered.  They  were  kind  and 
helpful,  and  one  of  the  men  found  a  peasant  from  beyond 
Bcttir,  who,  having  sold  his  produce,  was  returning  with 
two  unloaded  donkeys  and  offered  to  take  the  sheik 
home. 

As  soon  as  he  had  sufficiently  revived,  they  placed 
him  upon  one  of  the  beasts,  Yusef  walking  beside  and 
supporting  him. 

"  Thou  art  taking  me  to  Chalil,"  he  murmured. 

Yusef  had  not  the  heart  to  undeceive  him. 

The  old  man's  strength  had  almost  given  out  as  they 
reached  Bcttir. 

Racked  with  pain  and  fever,  he  lay  on  his  bed  in  the 
plain,  ungarnishcd  village  house,  which  had  been  the 
home  of  the  family  for  generations ;  but  as  to  the  fact  of 
his  suffering,  the  All-Merciful  had  cast  the  mantle  of 
oblivion  upon  him. 

"  Thou  surely  art  taking  me  to  Chalil,"  the  bereaved 
father  still  murmured.  "  But  go  more  quickly.  Spare 
me  not.  I  can  bear  it  well." 

And  they  that  ministered  to  him  hid  their  faces  for 
sorrow,  and  spoke  comfortably  and  assuringly  to  him, 
fearing  he  had  not  long  to  live. 

Yet  the  decree  had  gone  forth :  "  This  sickness  is 
not  unto  death," -  —  though  it  was  many  days  before  the 
sheik  recovered. 


CHAPTER   XXXII 

HASSAN,  having  made  more  than  one  attempt  to 
escape  since  his  capture,  had  been  subjected  to 
the  most  severe  discipline  and  punishment,  in  which  the 
element  of  cruelty  was  not  wanting.  Turkish  officers, 
even  at  the  best,  and  under  the  most  favourable  circum 
stances,  are  not  noted  for  their  kindness  or  forbearance. 
On  the  night  in  which  the  regiment  left  Jerusalem,  he 


362  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

was  marched  as  a  prisoner,  disgraced,  bound,  and  under 
strict  surveillance.  His  captain  had  determined  to 
break  the  proud  spirit  of  him,  and  to  make  him  an  ex 
ample,  so  as  to  strike  terror  into  others. 

Though  a  large  number  of  friends  and  relatives  so 
journing  around  the  city,  had  received  hurried  notice 
of  the  exodus,  and  followed  the  regiment  over  the  hills, 
there  was  a  gradual  falling  away;  so  that  by  the  time 
Kolonieh  was  reached,  where  the  first  halt  was  made, 
comparatively  few  of  those  camp-followers  remained. 
Even  of  these,  the  greater  part  returned  whence  they 
had  come,  by  way  of  the  valley  and  Ain  Karim.  The 
village  of  Ain  Karim,  the  birthplace  of  John  the  Bap 
tist,  is  in  full  sight,  nestling  amid  its  terraced  olive- 
groves  and  fig  orchards,  its  vineyards  and  gardens, 
distinctly  visible  from  Kolonieh  through  an  opening  in 
the  little  glen.  It  is  one  of  the  most  charming  retreats 
in  Palestine,  and  seemed  to  invite  the  stragglers  to 
come  back  that  way.  Of  the  few  women  who  did  not 
now  take  their  departure  and  return  to  their  homes, 
there  were  but  two  who  were  not  the  wives  of  soldiers. 
One  of  the  two  was  Kadra,  the  other  was  Hilwe. 

After  Hassan's  capture,  with  the  exception  of  two 
brief  interviews,  Hilwe  had  failed  in  her  attempts  to  see 
him.  She  had  learned  of  the  sudden  removal  to  Jeru 
salem  barely  in  time  to  reach  the  city  late  that  day. 
Kadra  and  other  women  had  accompanied  her;  and  as 
they  had  failed  in  their  object  of  seeing  the  soldiers,  who 
were  by  that  time  in  barracks,  they  determined  to  re 
main,  at  least,  till  the  morrow.  Thus  they  were  at 
hand  when,  in  the  dead  of  night,  the  regiment  marched 
out.  Sleepless  in  their  sorrow,  they  heard  the  tramp 
of  the  many  feet,  and  were  among  the  first  to  perceive 
what  it  meant. 

On  reaching  Kolonieh,  Kadra,  knowing  the  desper- 
ateness  of  the  undertaking,  had  counselled  Hilwe  to  go 
no  farther,  and  advised  that  they  join  the  women  who 
were  returning  to  their  homes.  But  this  Hilwe  refused 
to  do;  and,  seeing  her  determination  in  the  matter, 
Kadra  had  remained  with  her,  thinking  that  when 
they  had  come  to  Bab-el-wad,  where  a  longer  halt 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  363 

would  be  made,  she  would  change  her  mind,  and 
return. 

In  all  her  efforts  to  communicate  with  or  see  Hassan, 
Hilvve  had  been  defeated.  This  it  was  which  so 
strongly  moved  her. 

"  Had  he  been  thy  husband,"  remonstrated  Kadra, 
"it  might  have  been  different  —  thou  mightest  have 
some  colour  for  this;  but  now  art  thou  without  excuse, 
and  wilt  become  a  reproach  in  the  eyes  of  all  men." 

But  Kadra's  argument  fell  on  ears  that  would  not  hear. 

"  Either  my  body  shall  reach  my  beloved,  or  my  soul 
leave  my  body  to  go  to  him,"  the  hapless  Hilwe  had 
answered,  in  the  impassioned  language  of  the  East. 

"  Truly  he  serves  out  water  with  a  sieve  who  argues 
with  one  whose  mind  is  already  made  up.  Yet  will  I 
continue  with  thee  a  while  longer, — though  thou 
shouldst  be  taught  if  thou  dost  not  know  the  danger  to 
which  thou  art  exposed." 

"  Could  I  but  see  him  to  speak  a  word  to  him,  I 
would  be  satisfied." 

"  Thou  canst  do  naught  to  help  him ;  and  all  his 
efforts  are  worse  than  naught.  They  have  left  him  in  a 
sorrier  plight  than  in  the  beginning.  The  caravan  pro 
ceeds  in  spite  of  the  barking  of  the  dog.  It  is  as  well 
to  admit  it.  All  thy  tears  are  of  no  avail.  What  is  the 
use  of  asking  pity  from  him  who  has  no  pity.  To  his 
superior  the  Turk  is  a  cringing  hound  ;  to  his  inferior 
he  is  a  ravening  lion.  Dost  thou  expect  to  find  grass 
in  the  market  at  the  end  of  the  year?  Thou  shalt  find 
it  sooner  than  thou  shalt  find  pity  in  the  breast  of  the 
Turks  we  have  to  deal  with." 

So  spoke  the  wise  and  cynical  woman  from  Malha. 

"  Thou  hast  been  kind  and  compassionate  with  me, 
these  many  days,  Kadra.  What  benefits  can  such  as  I 
am  render  to  thee  for  all  thy  goodness?  Have  patience 
with  me  yet  a  little  longer.  Leave  me  not.  Else  there 
is  none  to  have  feeling  for  me." 

Hilwe's  eyes  were  full  of  sorrow  and  anxiety,  and 
Kadra  made  a  show  of  relenting. 

"  Fear  not,"  she  said,  taking  Hilwe's  hand,  and  lead 
ing  her  down  the  descent,  "  I  shall  abide  with  thee 


364  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

yet  a  while.  Who  knows?  —  mayhap  till  the  last. 
Though  thou  must  remember  I  have  warned  thee ;  and 
the  blame  of  what  shall  happen  must  be  upon  thine 
own  head." 

The  night  was  clear,  and  the  stars  shone  with  unusual 
brilliancy.  How  those  planets  glistened,  and  those 
stars,  which  are  suns,  burned  and  blazed,  scintillated  and 
glowed  on  high,  bejewelling  the  firmament  with  their 
priceless  splendour!  — though  there  were  those  among 
the  company  who,  as  they  halted  at  Kolonieh,  called  at 
tention  to  the  fact  that  the  constellation  Pisces,  which 
was  held  to  be  closely  connected  with  the  destinies  of 
Judaea,  was  surrounded  with  and  partly  obscured  by  a 
watery  haze.  The  numerous  small,  diamond-like  stars 
that  formed  the  glittering  scales  of  the  celebrated 
Fishes  were  mostly  blotted  out.  It  was  taken  as  an 
unpropitious  omen,  and  much  comment  was  called 
forth  by  it. 

There  was  now  but  little  water  in  the  stream  that  ran 
through  the  bottom  of  the  deeply-scoured  valley,  but 
in  the  stillness  of  the  night  it  could  be  heard  chafing  in 
its  rocky  bed  and  mingling  its  murmurs  with  the  rust 
ling  of  the  trees  in  the  gardens  surrounding  the  wayside 
khan  near  the  bridge  where  the  halt  was  made.  The 
multitude  of  stones  and  pebbles,  laid  bare  in  the  wide 
channel,  gave  evidence  that  at  certain  times  and  seasons 
a  formidable  stream  must  course  through  the  banks. 
Not  far  from  here  is  the  place  where  David  chose  the 
five  smooth  stones  out  of  the  brook,  with  one  of  which, 
when  slipped  from  his  shepherd's  bag  into  his  sling,  he 
slew  Goliath  of  Gath. 

The  halt  was  brief,  scarcely  sufficient  for  a  rest ;  and 
soon  again  the  regiment  and  followers  were  in  motion. 

Up  the  heights,  by  the  steep  zigzag  roads,  there  was 
many  a  weary  climb  for  poor  disconsolate  Hilwe  and 
the  other  women.  At  last  they  reached  the  summit  of 
the  hills,  from  which,  in  the  daytime,  the  Plain  of  Sharon 
and  the  Mediterranean  can  be  seen,  and  from  which 
proud  eminence  is  a  general  descent,  with  occasional 
interruptions,  for  the  remainder  of  the  way,  till  the 
great  plain  is  well  entered  on. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  365 

The  abrupt  craggy  ridges  and  many  narrow  valleys, 
huge  masses  of  gray  weather-beaten  limestone  rock 
cropping  out  on  every  side,  present  a  variety  of  bold 
contrasts,  perhaps  in  some  respects  heightened  by  the 
darkness  of  the  night,  —  grotesque  and  spectral  effects 
which  would,  in  a  measure,  vanish  at  the  touch  of  day 
light.  It  was  like  a  nightmare  to  Hilwe;  and  even  the 
resolute  Kadra,  though  sufficient  unto  herself,  and  boast 
fully  superior  to  sentiment,  was  subject  to  the  spell, 
and  carried  her  wilful  head  with  a  subdued  air.  But 
she  spoke  less  of  turning  back. 

Kadra  had  become,  in  some  sense,  a  leader  with  the 
other  women  ;  and  several  of  them  besides  Hilwe  looked 
to  her  for  counsel  and  protection.  She  took  a  pride  in 
this.  There  was  a  wonderful  attraction  too  in  the 
novelty  of  accompanying  the  soldiers.  There  was  yet 
another  and  a  secret  incentive.  She  had  never  seen  the 
sea.  And  now  that  she  had  travelled  so  far  towards  it, 
the  desire  to  satisfy  her  curiosity  strengthened  in  her. 

"  Thou  wouldst  not  turn  back  now,  Kadra?" 

When  Hilwe,  still  anxious  on  the  subject,  put  the 
question  in  this  form,  Kadra  admitted  the  position. 

"  Nay,  nay,"  she  said,  "  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to 
continue  with  thee,  as  I  have  told  thee.  Thou  knowest 
I  have  never  seen  the  mighty  waters ;  and  whenever  I 
heard  that  foolish  Fatima  boast  of  having  sojourned  by 
the  Great  Sea,  I  always  felt  it  a  reproach  to  me  that 
such  an  one  as  she  is  should  have  the  advantage  of  me 
in  this  thing.  No,  I  shall  not  turn  back." 

Yet  perhaps  a  nearer  and  a  dearer  reason  than  any 
of  those  mentioned  was  one  that  Kadra  would  not 
admit :  she  had  formed  an  extraordinary  attachment  for 
Hassan  !  Yes,  ridiculous  as  it  might  be. 

The  next  halt,  a  brief  one,  was  near  Bab-el-wad,  at  a 
wely,  the  tomb  of  a  Mohammedan  saint,  where  there 
is  a  spring  of  water —  the  special  attraction  —  and  some 
fine  trees,  the  latter  overshadowing  the  stone  platform 
and  domed  roof  of  the  wely.  Situated  in  the  bottom 
of  the  deep  and  narrow  ravine,  with  massive  rocks 
towering  in  perpendicular  cliffs  on  each  side,  it  is 
perhaps  one  of  the  most  romantic  and  interesting,  if 


366  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

not  one  of  the  most  picturesque  spots  on  the  entire 
route. 

The  small  hours  of  the  morning  were  already  advanc 
ing,  though  still  it  was  night,  and  darkness  reigned 
supreme  in  the  depths  of  the  rock-curtained  valley. 
The  pale  gray  light  of  the  dawn  was  stealing  over  the 
heavens,  from  the  eastern  horizon;  and  by  the  time  the 
regiment  reached  Bab-el-wad  the  first  cold  gleams  of 
daylight  began  to  make  objects  visible,  bringing  to 
everything,  as  in  the  creative  beginning,  its  own  partic 
ular  blush  of  colour,  of  which  the  night  had  robbed  it. 

Bab-el-wad  —  the  Gate  of  the  Valley — has  been 
appropriately  named.  It  is,  indeed,  the  gateway  to 
Jerusalem,  through  which,  for  ages,  all  warriors  and 
pilgrims  and  travellers  by  way  of  Jaffa,  whether  of  high 
or  of  low  degree,  have  pressed  forward  in  order  to  reach 
the  Holy  City.  Nature  has  marked  significantly  the 
important  position.  Imposing  upheavals  of  rock,  eido 
lons  in  stone,  rise  in  defiant  guardian  crags  on  both 
sides  of  the  entrance  to  the  defile  through  which  the 
road  from  the  Maritime  Plain  breaks  and  ascends. 

It  is,  without  doubt,  a  veritable  gateway. 

What  history  surrounds  this  grand  portal !  Here  the 
Crusader  hosts,  with  kings  and  princes,  and  representa 
tives  from  all  civilised  nations,  fought  their  way  against 
the  Mohammedan  power.  Here  Richard  of  England  — 
the  Lion-hearted  —  met  Saladin  in  battle.  And  back 
in  the  days  when  the  children  of  Israel  first  possessed 
the  land,  they  and  the  natives  races  and  peoples,  and 
especially  the  Philistines,  had  often  encountered  each 
other  in  deadly  combat  at  this  point,  at  adjacent  Ajalon, 
and  along  these  bristling  ramparts.  Through  this  noble 
gate  were  hauled  the  cedar  beams  for  Solomon's 
Temple,  the  verd-antique  and  other  precious  marbles 
and  materials  brought  by  Herod  for  the  third  and  last 
great  Temple,  and  the  timbers  of  English  oak  which 
King  Edward  IV.  piously  sent,  so  many  centuries  ago, 
to  replace  the  roof  (originally  of  cedar  of  Lebanon) 
of  the  Basilica  of  Helena,  the  mother  of  Constantine  — 
the  Church  of  the  Nativity — at  Bethlehem,  and  which 
oaken  rafters  still  remain  there,  sound  and  perfect,  to 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  367 

this  day.  The  Roman  legions  came  and  went  over  this 
via  of  vias,  as  the  Greeks  had  before  them.  It  has  ever 
been  the  pathway  for  the  delivery  of  all  sacred  gifts  and 
all  merchandise  for  Jerusalem  landed  at  Jaffa.  The  mind 
grows  weary  in  recalling  the  honour  and  the  power  and 
the  glory,  the  cohorts,  the  armies  and  the  cavalcades  of 
all  kinds  that,  from  remote  periods  to  the  present 
generation,  have  swept  through  this  strait  and  narrow 
way  —  between  these  flanking  pillars  of  rock,  of  Nature's 
erecting,  which,  like  immortal  gods,  have  looked  down 
upon  it  all,  unmoved. 

How  small  yet  how  vast  a  thing  is  life !  How 
mysterious  !  How  incomprehensible  !  These  rocks, 
begotten  beneath  the  antediluvian  waters,  have  endured 
through  it  all  with  a  persistency  which  appals  the  human 
being.  He  envies  them  for  their  very  obduracy.  Yet 
within  the  man  is  the  eternal,  the  divine,  the  universal 
soul —  God!  Fretful  man,  he  walks  upon  the  earth,  for 
his  little  day  in  the  body,  without  knowing  himself,  or  the 
birthright  which  he  has  despised  and  forgotten.  He 
denies  a  soul  to  the  everlasting  hills,  and  even  to  the 
living  creatures  which  he  considers  beneath  him.  Often 
he  denies  it  to  himself.  He  is  God ;  and  yet  you  can 
not  persuade  him  that  his  life  does  not  depend  upon  a 
meal  of  victuals.  But,  for  all  that,  he  has  a  good 
opinion  of  himself;  he  "  feels  his  oats,"  and  with  the 
aid  of  his  heart,  or  his  liver,  or  what  not,  he  is  able  to 
love  intensely  and  is  so  conceited  as  to  imagine  that  his 
particular  love-affair  is  the  all-important  question  of  the 
universe.  Thus,  it  comes  to  pass,  he  is  a  life-giver, 
almost  without  intending  it. 

The  new  regiment,  with  its  attendant  guards,  after 
leaving  the  wely,  made  no  pause  as  it  marched  through 
the  sublime  gateway,  but,  presenting  a  picturesque  enough 
spectacle  with  its  outflying  zaptiehs,  it  poured  through 
into  the  open,  as  if  its  officers  and  watchful  convoy 
had  gladly  shaken  off  the  incubus  of  the  ravines  and 
dangerous  passes  and  at  length  found  a  breathing- 
space.  Here,  on  the  last  subsiding  slopes  of  the  Judaean 
range  of  hills,  is  another  lonely  khan,  at  which  the 
traveller  from  Jerusalem  stops  to  rest  and  partake  of 


368  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

his  luncheon  which  he  has  brought  with  him  from  his 
hotel,  while  the  horses  are  watered  and  fed ;  for  the 
point,  being  one  of  the  regular  stopping-places  from 
time  immemorial,  it  would  be  impossible  for  a  native  to 
neglect  the  custom. 

The  halt  of  the  regiment  was  made  immediately  below 
the  khan,  upon  the  gentle  slope,  where  only  a  few  rocks 
pushed  their  snouts  through  the  soil.  A  short  way  be 
yond,  a  spur  of  the  Shephalah,  a  lower  range  of  hills,  front 
ing  the  loftier  ramparts,  runs  at  nearly  right  angles  across 
the  road,  the  last  high  land  before  entering  on  the 
plain ;  and  between  this  and  where  the  regiment  halted 
is  a  shallow  depression,  with  a  stream,  now  reduced  to 
a  trickling  rivulet,  or  almost  dry,  at  the  bottom  of  it. 

Camp  fires  were  lighted,  and  the  preparation  of  food 
for  the  hungry  men  was  at  once  begun.  For  that 
matter,  the  Moslem  peasant  is  always  hungry  —  always 
ready  to  eat.  Wake  him  up  out  of  sleep  in  the  dead  of 
night,  and  the  first  thing  he  expects  to  do  is  to  eat. 
The  great  fast  of  the  Ramadan  is,  doubtless,  account 
able  for  some  of  this.  The  man,  abstaining  from  food 
all  day,  is  aroused  by  cannon  in  the  night,  that  he  may 
gorge  himself. 

So  the  smoke  curled  upward  to  heaven  ;  and  presently 
the  fumes  of  food  permeated  the  atmosphere, — that 
"  sweet-smelling  savour,"  so  acceptable  to  the  nostrils  of 
savage  man  that  he  fancies  it  must  be  equally  acceptable 
to  the  deity,  and  so  makes  the  burnt  sacrifice  a  part 
of  his  religion. 

The  laggards  were  brought  in  by  the  zaptiehs, 
who  made  it  the  occasion  for  a  display  of  their  superb 
horsemanship,  which  is  only  inferior  to  that  of  the 
Bedawin. 

Last  of  all,  at  a  safe  distance,  came  the  villagers, 
among  them  the  poor  dejected  women,  dragging  them 
selves  along  with  weary  step.  At  first  they  did  not 
venture  near.  But,  after  a  while,  they  gathered  at  an 
overhanging  crag,  in  the  rear  of  the  camp,  where  some 
of  the  soldiers  were  so  friendly  as  to  share  their  bread 
with  them. 

And    now    they    learned    about   their    relatives    and 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  369 

friends,  and,  through  Kadra,  Hihve  received  information 
of  Hassan. 

"  Yea,  he  is  a  prisoner,  and  under  punishment,"  was 
the  reply  to  her  inquiries. 

Further  questioning  elicited  some  minor  particulars  in 
regard  to  him,  but  they  were  far  from  being  satisfactory. 

"  Thinkest  thou  we  could  venture  near  enough  to  speak 
to  him?  "  was  asked  by  Kadra  of  one  of  the  more  friendly 
soldiers. 

"  Nay.  That  were  impossible,"  was  his  unequivocal 
reply. 

From  some  of  his  remarks  the  man  evidently  took  her 
for  Hassan's  wife,  in  which  Kadra  did  not  undeceive  him, 
accepting  it  as  a  compliment. 

Hihve  did  not  dare  ask  all  the  questions  she  would 
have  wished  to  ask,  nor  could  she  prompt  them,  as  it 
attracted  attention  to  her  from  the  supposed  spouse. 

"  Art  thou  too  his  wife?  Or  —  or  art  thou  his  sister?  " 
inquired  the  soldier,  looking  upon  her  with  hungry  eyes. 

He  had  evidently  noticed  Hilwe's  painful  solicitude ; 
and  her  melancholy  beauty  had  appealed  to  him  and 
touched  him. 

Poor  Hilwe  hung  her  head  and  blushed,  grievously 
confused,  not  knowing  what  to  say. 

"  His  sister,"  replied  Kadra,  promptly  coming  to  her 
rescue,  and  not  hesitating  to  lie  in  such  a  case. 

"  It  is  well,"  he  said ;  and,  exhibiting  his  pleasure  at 
the  intimation,  showed  himself  not  unwilling  for  further 
parley  and  acquaintance. 

"  Couldst  thou  take  a  message  to  him?"  ventured 
Hilwe. 

"  Ah,  that  would  be  difficult  and  dangerous  work  !  " 

After  a  short  search,  Hilwe  produced  a  little  ornament 
carved  out  of  mother-of-pearl.  It  resembled  a  star,  but 
was  meant  for  an  asphodel  flower  with  its  six  expanded 
petals.  She  looked  at  it  earnestly  as  she  held  it  in  her 
hand,  as  though  it  were  very  precious  to  her.  She  then 
kissed  it.  It  was  the  work  of  Hassan.  He  had  made  it, 
patiently  working  upon  it,  during  those  happy  days  which 
they  had  spent  together  in  their  love  dalliance,  in  that 
garden-nest  on  the  hillside,  among  the  narcissus  blooms, 

24 


370  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

the  asphodels  and  anemones ;  and  the  nacre  was  not 
unskilfully  cut.  She  had  watched  him  make  every  point 
of  it. 

"  Couldst  thou  not  take  him  one  little  word  ?  "  pleaded 
Hilwe  insinuatingly. 

"  He  is  closely  guarded,"  was  the  soldier's  reply.  "  I 
see  not  how  it  might  be  done." 

But  the  man  was  evidently  yielding  to  her  influence. 

Hilwe  held  out  to  him  the  carving  of  the  star-like 
asphodel. 

"  Perchance,  in  passing  him,  thou  mightest  drop  this 
into  his  hand,  and  say  that  she  who  sent  it  was  near  by, 
and  saluted  him,  sympathising  with  him,  and  bidding 
him  take  courage." 

What  depths  of  love  were  in  her  translucent  glance ! 
Her  soul  floated  in  it. 

The  man,  in  his  conceit,  thinking  the  love  was  meant 
for  him,  was  greatly  moved  as  he  took  the  simple  carving. 
His  eyes  were  fixed  on  her  with  more  than  ordinary 
admiration. 

"  If  it  be  possible,  I  will  do  even  as  thou  hast  said. 
For  thy  sake,  and  out  of  regard  for  thee,  will  I  risk 
doing  it." 

He  would  have  spoken  further,  revealing  his  passion ; 
but  just  then,  lifting  up  his  eyes,  he  beheld  what  caused 
his  sudden  departure. 

"  I  see  the  zaptiehs  coming  this  way,"  he  said.  "  I 
can  no  longer  stay.  But  thou  canst  rely  I  shall  do  as  I 
have  promised,  even  if  I  die  for  it." 

"  Allah  bless  thee  for  it,  and  reward  thee,"  she  said, 
as  he  disappeared. 

"  I  shall  say  his  sister  sent  it,"  were  his  last  words. 

She  was  greatly  delighted  at  what  she  had  done. 

"  He  will  know  his  own  work,"  she  kept  repeating, 
"  and  when  told  that  I  am  near,  he  will  be  comforted. 
Yea,  he  will  come  to  me." 

She  felt  she  had  accomplished  something  by  her  mes 
sage,  and  a  load  seemed  lifted  off  her  mind  and  heart. 

"  When  he  gets  it,  —  if  he  can,  he  will  come  to  me. 
Do  I  not  know  he  will." 

Doubtless  the  soldier  meant  to  do  as  he  had  promised. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  371 

Twice  with  warm  heart,  but  clumsy  action,  he  went  to  per 
form  the  duty  he  had  undertaken,  and  each  time  failed  to 
find  the  opportunity,  Hassan  was  so  closely  guarded. 

"  I  shall  put  it  off  till  to-morrow,"  he  said,  with  the 
procrastination  which  is  such  a  favourite  expedient  of  the 
Oriental.  "  They  will  be  less  watchful  then.  Yes. 
Boukra  —  to-morrow." 

That  evening,  in  gambling  with  a  fellow-soldier,  he 
had  found  himself  at  the  end  of  his  resources. 

"  Allah  is  against  me,  O  Murad !  "  he  said. 

"Ha,  ha!" 

The  mocking,  triumphant  laugh  of  the  victor,  Murad, 
rankled  in  the  unfortunate  man's  breast.  What  would 
he  not  give,  at  that  moment,  for  the  most  paltry  coin? 
It  might  retrieve  his  luck. 

"  Try ;  thou  surely  must  have  something  left,"  urged 
his  adversary. 

The  words  were  tauntingly  said,  and  galled  the  fleeced 
man,  who,  under  that  scorching  smile  of  Murad,  made 
the  semblance  of  fumbling  and  feeling  for  what  he  knew 
he  had  not. 

He  searched  vainly  in  several  places  in  his  clothing  for 
a  single  coin  of  the  Turkish  or  any  other  realm.  The 
flush  of  shame  deepened  on  his  brow. 

At  last,  thrusting  his  hand  down  deep  into  the  pocket 
of  his  trousers,  he  felt  there  the  ornament  of  mother-of 
pearl  which  Hihve  had  given  him  for  Hassan.  He  drew 
it  out.  There  was  no  hesitation.  With  it  was  a  shabby, 
battered  metalik. 

The  passion  of  the  gamester,  inveterate  in  his  race,  was 
upon  him.  He  hardly  gave  a  second  glance  at  the  starry 
asphodel,  so  carefully  and  skilfully  carved  with  loving 
thought  in  the  shell — the  memento  of  those  blissful 
days  of  Hassan's  and  Hilwe's  devotion,  when  it  was  like 
heaven  on  earth.  He  staked  it  with  the  metalik, —  and  he 
lost. 

"  Allah  is  against  me,  O  Murad  !  "  he  repeated,  with  a 
stupefied  expression  of  countenance. 

"  And  he  is  with  me,"  said  Murad,  as  he  swept  the 
stakes  into  his  pocket. 


372  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Thus  it  was  decreed  that  Hassan  never  should  receive 
the  message  from  Hilwe.  It  was  a  long  story  made  short. 
And  the  pearly  talisman,  carved  by  the  hand  of  love, 
and  so  precious  to  Hilwe,  lay  in  the  bottom  of  the  pocket 
of  a  strange  man. 

Oh,  the  irony  of  fate  ! 

That  selfsame  evening,  as  Hilwe  was  lingering  near  the 
outskirts  of  the  camp,  hoping  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the 
one  man  who  filled  her  heart  and  her  life,  and  with  a 
vague  idea  of  receiving  some  result  from  her  message  — 
there  suddenly  passed  before  her  a  tall  soldier  bound 
with  ropes,  driven  by  two  guards  who  had  used  upon  him 
the  butts  of  their  muskets. 

How  wan  and  dust-begrimed  was  the  poor  wretch ! 

That  tall  man  —  O  Allah !  She  could  not  be  mis 
taken.  There  was  but  one  like  that. 

He  turned  as  he  went  by,  and  looked  upon  her,  in  his 
humiliation.  Their  eyes  met.  It  was  he  !  Hassan  ! 

Oh,  woe  of  woes  —  sorrow  of  sorrows  !  Has  it  come 
to  this? 

"  Hassan !  " 

"  Hilwe  !  " 

The  next  instant  he  was  lost  from  her  sight  in  a  dense 
body  of  troops  which  opened  to  let  him  pass,  then  closed 
behind  him. 

It  was  like  a  flash  of  lightning  in  the  night-time,  which 
suddenly  reveals  some  horrible  sight,  and  then  drops  it 
back  into  the  impenetrable  darkness. 


CHAPTER   XXXIII 

r  I^HE  lengthened  halt  near  Bab-el-wad  had  been  un- 
JL  expected  by  the  soldiers,  and  was  a  surprise  to 
them  and  to  every  one  but  the  commanding  officers,  who 
were  in  the  secret  and  who  had  contemplated  it  from 
the  beginning.  But  the  following  day  the  reason  for 
the  detention  was  made  manifest  to  all,  when  a  body  of 
prisoner  conscripts,  captured  since  the  regiment  left 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  373 

Jerusalem,  were  brought  in.  They  had  been  pushed 
forward  in  a  forced  march,  and  a  woe-begone  looking 
crowd  they  indeed  were,  as  they  entered  the  camp ; 
though,  so  far  as  their  discontent  was  concerned,  they 
found  there  abundant  company  in  their  misery. 

A  further  delay  was  necessary  to  rest  them.  But  with 
this  addition  to  its  strength,  the  regiment  in  due  time 
resumed  its  march  to  the  sea,  the  breezes  from  which 
had  come  to  it  each  evening,  like  a  benediction  from 
Heaven.  The  motley  crew  followed. 

As  they  crossed  the  spur  of  the  Shephalah,  they  saw 
the  vast  level  of  the  plain  of  Sharon  stretch  before  them 
without  a  break.  Here  and  there  the  rolling  surface  had 
a  billowy  aspect;  but  there  was  nothing  approaching 
a  hill  or  knoll  to  disturb  its  ocean-like  character.  The 
plain  was  a  sea,  condensed,  solidified.  It  now  was  of 
a  pale  yellowish  green,  deepening  occasionally  into  a 
golden  glow,  but  melting  in  the  misty  distance  into  a 
tender  blue  fringed  with  silver,  which  last,  in  reality,  was 
the  Mediterranean  itself. 

To  reach  the  level  was  a  relief.  Its  very  monotony 
had  a  charm  for  the  people  accustomed  to  the  rocky 
roughness  of  the  hill  country.  Above  all,  it  made 
travelling  much  more  easy.  Yet  to  leave  the  hill  coun 
try  was  their  great  grief,  for  that  country  was  their  home. 

Looking  backward  to  the  region  they  had  left,  the 
hills  rose  out  of  the  plain  with  the  appearance  of  an 
island  rising  out  of  the  sea,  light  hazy  mists  hiding  their 
base.  To  the  credulous  fellah  the  change  was  ominous. 

In  many  respects  Palestine  is  of  an  insular  aspect  and 
character.  It  is  an  island  with  the  sea  on  one  side,  a 
desert  or  wilderness  on  its  other  boundaries.  The  desert 
is,  indeed,  a  sea  of  sand  having  its  own  peculiar  storm- 
phenomena  constantly  agitating  its  surface,  which  is 
cast  up  in  spray  and  waves,  and  in  whirling  columns 
resembling  water-spouts.  It  has  its  navies  too  —  cara 
vans,  where  the  camel,  the  "  ship  of  the  desert, "  is 
the  argosy  laden  with  its  cargoes  of  merchandise.  The 
mirage-like  atmosphere  adds  the  required  glamour. 

Those  simple  peasant  soldiers,  marching  to  the  sea, 
to  be  transported  to  a  land  unknown  to  them,  what 


374  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

wonder  if  their  hearts  were  heavy  as  they  beheld  their 
beloved  hills  — the  place  of  their  birth  and  of  their  life 
—  metamorphosed  before  their  gaze,  changed  till  they 
become  as  an  enchanted  island,  and  finally  melt  away 
into  nothingness,  never  again  to  be  seen  by  them,  as 
their  superstitious  fancy  conjured. 

Then,  as  they  approached  Ramleh,  to  certain  of  the 
men  it  seemed  as  if  it  were  a  city  starting  by  magic  out 
of  the  ground  —  its  minarets,  mosques,  convents,  palms, 
gardens  and  fountains,  all  the  work  of  necromancy. 

Here  another  halt  was  made. 

The  reputed  home  of  Joseph  of  Arimathea,  Ramleh, 
now  wizened  and  decayed,  must  have  been,  in  former 
ages,  a  place  of  some  importance.  In  many  of  the  little 
workshops  —  which  are  wretched  stalls,  may  be  seen 
the  beautifully  carved  capitals  of  the  marble  columns 
which  must  have  belonged  to  more  than  one  magnifi 
cent  building  long  gone  to  ruin,  and  ploughed  under. 
Some  of  these  capitals  are  of  large  size,  and  of  the 
Corinthian  order.  To-day  they  are  used  as  horse-blocks, 
and  also  are  employed  as  stands  or  work-tables  by  shoe 
makers  and  other  artisans,  a  single  specimen  filling  the 
centre  of  one  of  those  box-like  little  rooms,  where  such 
a  glorious  antique  is  assuredly  entirely  out  of  propor 
tion  and  place. 

Amid  their  squalid  surroundings,  these  ancient 
marbles  from  some  shattered  temple,  dug  out  for  this 
degraded  use  from  their  necropolis,  where  they  have 
remained  entombed  and  mouldering  for  centuries,  are 
a  homily  on  man  and  his  ambition.  Crumbling  arches, 
rubbish  heaps  and  ruined  walls  abound ;  and  the  be- 
stained  dyer,  the  busiest  craftsman  in  town,  may  be  seen 
plying  his  calling — chiefly  indulging  in  the  dark  blue 
colour,  so  favoured  by  the  fellaheen  for  their  garments  — 
above  these  quarries  of  antiquities,  these  sepulchres  of 
fine  carved  work. 

Thus  history  is  made  and  buried ;  and  man  walks 
over  the  silent  graves  without  a  blush,  or  a  touch  of 
shame  at  his  petty  deeds  and  trifling  thoughts,  or  the 
poor  transient  vexations  which  rend  him  with  their 
undue  importance. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  375 

During  the  halt  at  Ramleh,  Hilwe  had  redoubled  her 
efforts  to  see  Hassan  and  to  communicate  with  him, 
but  without  success.  Ever  since  she  had  sent  him  the 
pearl  talisman  with  the  simple  but  touching  message, 
she  had  dwelt  with  renewed  hope  upon  the  probability 
of  his  finding  some  opportunity  for  their  meeting.  She 
had  great  confidence  in  the  resources  which  he  ever  had 
been  so  fertile  in  developing. 

"  He  has  got  my  message  and  will  come  to  me,"  she 
said. 

Even  after  the  sight  of  him  in  his  pain  and  subjection 
which  had  so  afflicted  her  and  filled  her  with  anguish, 
she  did  not  despair.  To  be  near  him  meant  so  much. 
She  could  not  explain  it  to  herself,  but  the  feeling  was 
there. 

She  hoped,  too,  failing  to  meet  Hassan,  that  at  least, 
through  Chalil,  they  might  communicate.  She  did  not 
know  that  the  officers,  fearing  collusion  and  co-operation 
on  the  part  of  the  friends,  had  adopted  the  precaution  of 
separating  them,  and  that  for  some  time  they  had  been 
kept  well  apart. 

As  for  Hassan,  the  sight  of  Hilwe  had  so  worked 
upon  his  feelings,  he  was  well-nigh  beside  himself.  A 
species  of  frenzy  took  possession  of  him.  He  lost 
patience  and  control  of  himself  in  the  presence  of  such 
a  temptation.  As  his  mind  dwelt  on  the  dangers  and 
indignities  to  which  she  was  exposed  in  being  brought 
in  contact  with  such  rude  unlicensed  soldiery,  it  tended 
to  infuriate  him. 

Chalil  had  acquiesced  and  submitted  after  his  capture, 
and  so  had  escaped  the  more  severe  and  cruel  punish 
ments  administered  to  the  recalcitrant  and  obdurate. 

"You  may  break  me,  but  you  cannot  bend  me,"  Has 
san  had  said. 

From  the  first  he  had  refused  to  promise  he  would 
make  no  further  attempt  to  escape  ;  and  to  this  position, 
though  so  unsuccessful  in  all  his  efforts,  he  had  adhered 
to  the  last. 

"Thou  wouldst  do  well  to  submit  thyself,  Hassan," 
Chalil  had  advised  him,  when  first  brought  in  from  a 
futile  dash  for  liberty.  "  Why  not  promise  what  they 


376  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

ask  of  thee?     They  will  not  then  so  cruelly  afflict  and 
torture  thee." 

But  this,  Hassan  scorned  to  do. 

"  I  promise  them  nothing,"  he  said.     "  Why  should 
I?     It  is  ever  in  my  mind  to  free  myself  from  them — 
to  escape  out  of  their  hands.     The  dream  of  the  garden 
never  leaves  the  heart  of  the  nightingale." 

"  Alas,  they  have  thee  in  their  power.  Thy  fate  doth 
worsen.  They  will  rive  the  soul  out  of  thee.  And  then 
what  canst  thou  do?  " 

"  Were  I  dead  it  were  another  thing.  But  while  the 
life  is  in  me  how  can  I  cease  to  make  effort?  Were  I 
as  thou  art,  Chalil,  mayhap  I  should  have  done  as  thou 
hast.  But  how  can  I  leave  Hilwe  to  her  fate?  My 
God,  it  sets  me  on  fire  —  it  maddens  me  when  I  think 
of  it.  It  is  true  I  have  failed ;  but  how  do  I  know  that 
I  shall  not  be  successful  the  next  time?  Although  a 
mountain  be  high,  it  has  a  road  to  the  top  of  it.  Yes, 
I  have  failed.  One  door  is  shut,  but  a  thousand  doors 
are  open." 

Now  that  he  was  deprived  of  the  gentle  ministry  and 
advice  of  Chalil,  it  fared  worse  with  Hassan.  He  grew 
more  restive  and  reckless.  When  they  halted  below 
Bab-el-wad,  in  the  region  of  the  Shephalah,  his  eyes 
had  scrutinised  every  feature  of  the  ground,  searching 
out  caves  and  hiding-places  to  which  he  might  flee,  and 
where  he  might  be  concealed.  He  saw  with  but  one 
intent  the  brushwood  and  scrub,  the  purple  thyme  and 
stunted  terebinth  which  screened  in  dense  masses  the 
hollows  and  crevices  in  the  limestone  cliffs.  The  deep 
tortuous  ravines  were  pleasant  in  his  sight.  They 
seemed  kith  and  kin  —  like  brothers  to  him,  beckoning 
with  friendly  interest.  If  he  lost  this  opportunity,  it 
might  be  his  last.  He  was  leaving  the  kindly  hills  be 
hind.  Then  would  come  the  naked  plain  where  all  was 
disclosed,  like  an  open  hand.  There  would  not  be  a 
shelter  for  miles  around. 

The  hum  of  the  honey-laden  bees  murmured  in  his 
ears ;  the  song  of  the  crested  lark  came  to  him  lustily, 
cheerily  out  of  the  sky  ;  the  smell  of  the  wild  herbs  was 
sweeter  than  incense  in  his  nostrils.  They  were  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  377 

sounds  and  the  odours  amid  which  he  had  spent  his  life. 
The  cries  of  the  free  wild  creatures  taunted  him.  Why 
should  he  be  bound  and  driven?  Why  deprived  of  his 
liberty?  If  to  be  a  slave  is  to  be  miserable,  how  much 
more  so  is  it  for  him  who  has  roamed,  unlicensed,  moun 
tain  and  valley,  with  none  to  question  him,  or  to  ask  him 
Whither  goest  thou  ?  or  Whence  comest  thou  ?  He  turned 
to  the  terraced  heights  which  in  ancient  days  had  been 
vineyards  or  planted  with  olives ;  he  saw  the  waste  un- 
fenced  places  and  the  desolate  glens  with  revived  hope. 
They  were  the  gateways  to  freedom. 

"  Is  not  Allah  opening  a  way  before  me?"  he  said. 

Above  all,  the  glimpse  he  had  had  of  Hilwe  burned  into 
his  brain.  He  knew  she  was  near.  Why  should  he  not 
go  to  her?  He  heard  her  call  him,  —  speaking  that  one 
word,  —  "  Hassan,"  with  the  heart-breaking  accent  in 
which  she  had  uttered  it  when  she  beheld  him  in  his 
debasement,  in  the  hands  of  the  brutal  guards,  smitten 
by  them  while  bound,  struck  with  the  butts  of  their 
pieces.  Oh,  the  cruel  shame  of  it ! 

"  She  has  the  right  to  call  for  me,"  he  said.  "  I  have 
the  right  to  go  to  her." 

Suddenly  there  sounded  in  his  ears  the  roll  of  drum 
and  blare  of  trumpet;  and  pouring  out  of  the  hillside 
through  that  marvellous  gateway  of  the  ages  marched  a 
body  of  soldiers.  They  were  in  Turkish  uniform.  They 
came  towards  the  camp.  What  could  it  mean? 

They  were  the  captured  conscripts  from  Jerusalem, 
as  already  mentioned.  Swiftly  yet  reluctantly  they  came. 
The  gay  music  mocked  them. 

Every  eye  was  turned  towards  them.  The  vigilance 
of  Hassan's  single  guard  was  relaxed.  He  pressed  for 
ward  in  the  throng  to  see  what  the  commotion  meant, 
and  was  carried  away  with  the  crowd.  The  unexpected 
blast  and  swirl  of  sound,  all-pervading,  dominant,  was 
electrifying,  and  absorbed  the  attention  of  the  host. 

Hassan  was  alone. 

Again  that  voice  came  to  him. 

Something  seemed  to  snap  and  give  way  within  his 
head.  A  light  flashed  from  his  eyes.  It  flamed  at  his 
feet.  He  followed  it. 


378  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

On,  on  he  went.  He  knew  not  whither.  No  one  no 
ticed  him,  though  he  walked  through  the  midst  of  them. 

The  consciousness  of  freedom  was  upon  him.  He  was 
outside  the  lines.  There  was  no  one  to  hinder  him.  He 
thought  he  was  free.  He  believed  he  was  free.  He 
knew  he  was  free.  He  walked  untrammelled  on  the 
hillside.  Where  were  his  fetters?  No  shackles  bound 
him.  His  faith  had  delivered  him. 

Perhaps,  in  some  degree,  it  was  a  realisation,  however 
imperfect,  of  the  divine  principle  which  is  all  in  all,  — 
that  within  him  was  Allah,  through  whom  he  lived  and 
moved  and  had  his  being ;  that  his  soul  was  the  life  of 
Allah,  —  was  Allah  ! 

Yes,  he  was  free.  Who  could  separate  him  from  the 
love  of  Allah? 

The  voice  of  voices  had  come  to  him,  echoing  down 
the  spiritual  heights  that  know  no  time  or  space,  but  yet 
through  centuries  —  almost  two  millenniums  —  of  human 
sound,  as  men  count :  "  Fear  not  them  who  kill  the  body, 
but  are  not  able  to  kill  the  soul !  " 

It  seemed  to  him  as  if  he  had  heard  the  words  long 
ago,  —  as  if  they  told  him  something  he  already  had 
known  or  ought  to  have  known,  —  as  if  they  were  a  sacred 
reminiscence  of  an  earlier  existence.  The  sense  of  free 
dom  filled  him  as  never  before.  He  walked  as  a  new 
man,  allied  to  all  the  heavenly  powers,  and  in  the  exul 
tation  of  his  freedom  he  was  glad. 

O  Liberty,  divine  angel  from  heaven,  woe  be  to  the 
man  who  attempts  to  clip  thy  glorious  wings  and  bind 
thee  in  the  dust !  Happy  is  the  people  upon  whom  thou 
smilest,  and  blessed  the  nation  with  whom  thou  dwellest. 
Daughter  of  God,  no  wonder  that  men,  recognising  in 
thee  the  likeness  and  image  of  the  Most  High,  fall 
prostrate  and  worship. 

It  was  but  a  short  time  before  an  alarm  was  raised. 
The  guards  turned  out.  Hassan  was  soon  surrounded 
and  brought  back.  In  the  brief  interval  he  had  searched 
in  vain  for  Hilwe.  He  had  not  even  caught  a  glimpse 
of  her.  Nor  had  she  seen  him. 

On  this  occasion  the  guards  were  incensed  against  him, 
and  in  their  exasperation  used  him  unmercifully.  They 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  379 

struck  him,  they  mocked  him,  they  swore  at  him,  setting 
him  at  naught,  and  in  other  ways  abused  him. 

"  Allah  ylaano,  — -  God  d — n  you,"  cried  the  soldier 
who  had  been  left  in  charge  of  him,  with  a  profanity 
quite  equal  to  that  of  the  Occidental,  —  for  it  is  alto 
gether  incorrect  to  suppose  there  are  no  oaths  or  swear 
ing  in  the  Arabic  or  among  the  Orientals.  "  Didst 
thou  think  to  escape  me?  Why  give  me  this  trouble? 
Wouldst  thou  spit  towards  heaven?" 

They  bound  him  more  securely,  which  meant  more 
painfully,  than  before,  and  drove  him  in  before  them  as 
they  would  have  driven  a  donkey  or  other  beast. 

"  Istaagel  —  Hurry  up,"  they  cried,  as  he  stumbled  and 
fell. 

"  Id-roub-hou,  —  beat  him." 

"  He  is  lazy." 

"  Give  him  a  touch  of  the  kourbaj." 

They  did  not  hesitate  to  lay  upon  him  their  heavy 
whips,  such  as  the  zaptiehs  carry. 

"  Art  thou  not  a  fool  to  think  thou  couldst  outwit  us 
and  get  away?"  they  yelled. 

"  He  endeavours  to  extract  oil  from  sand,"  another 
mockingly  added. 

To  most  of  this  abuse  Hassan  replied  nothing.  He 
seemed  stupid,  overwhelmed  at  his  repeated  failures. 
Yet  was  there  a  strange,  enrapt  expression  about  him 
which  puzzled  them.  They  could  not  understand  his 
immense  power  of  endurance.  It  angered  them. 

"  What  aileth  thee  that  thou  attemptest  the  impos 
sible?"  they  asked.  "We  shall  hang  thee  by  the  wrists 
till  thy  nails  drop  off." 

Once  he  replied  in  a  dazed  way  to  their  taunts :  "  In 
the  time  of  necessity,  when  there  is  no  chance  of  escape, 
the  hand  will  lay  hold  of  even  a  sharp  sword  by  the 
blade." 

This  was  received  with  shouts  of  derision. 

"There,  —  you  see  what  he  is." 

"  He  understands  not  his  own  good,"  said  one. 

"  He  is  insane,"  quoth  another. 

"What  doth  an  ass  know  of  the  value  of  saffron?" 
contemptuously  remarked  the  first  guard. 


380  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

"  Yea,"  assented  a  stout  little  soldier,  the  very  anti- 
pode  of  Hassan,  and  therefore  calculated  to  appreciate 
inimically  his  excessive  proportions.  "  What  can  you 
expect  from  such  as  he  is?  That  only  leaks  from  a 
vessel  which  it  contains." 

It  was  like  the  ass  kicking  his  heels  in  the  face  of  the 
expiring  lion. 

Bound  and  bent  and  exhausted  from  their  abuse,  the 
noble  frame  of  the  young  giant  of  Bettir  lay  prostrate  at 
their  feet.  They  had  fastened  his  arms  behind  his  back. 
His  legs  were  fettered.  He  was  at  the  mercy  of  his  tor 
mentors.  They  had  dragged  him  far  inside  the  lines, 
where  there  was  no  hope  of  his  escaping. 

"  Let  him  alone  now,"  said  one  of  the  officers  on 
coming  up  and  seeing  his  state ;  "  he  has  to  march  to 
Ramleh.  He  has  had  enough  for  the  present.  When 
we  get  there,  we  shall  have  another  halt,  and  we  can 
give  him  thorough  punishment  then,  or  when  we  reach 
Jaffa." 

After  this,  they  took  extraordinary  precautions  in 
guarding  Hassan;  and  so  it  was  that  all  Hilwe's  hopes 
of  seeing  him  at  Ramleh  were  disappointed,  and  all  her 
attempts  to  communicate  with  him  were  frustrated. 

Not  only  at  the  various  halting-places,  but  all  along 
the  route  the  officers  had  continued  to  drill  the  men,  and 
put  them  through  the  ordinary  evolutions ;  so  that  by 
the  time  Jaffa  was  reached  they  had  acquired  a  pro 
ficiency  in  this  direction  which,  considering  the  circum 
stances,  was  highly  creditable. 

More  weary  than  ever,  perhaps  largely  because  less 
hopeful,  were  the  two  women  from  Malha,  who  fol 
lowed  far  behind,  foot-sore  and  heart-sore,  drifted  hither 
and  thither  by  every  changing  circumstance,  —  yet,  in 
their  greater  trouble,  heedless  of  their  lesser  misfortunes. 

Kadra,  seeing  the  pitifulness  of  Hilwe's  condition,  re 
frained  from  noticing  it  to  her.  She  spoke  as  cheerfully 
as  her  own  unhappy  state  would  permit. 

"  Truly  't  is  a  weary  way,  Hilwe,"  she  said ;  "  yet 
every  step  we  take  brings  us  nearer  to  Jaffa." 

"  And  then  the  sad  end,"  returned  Hilwe.  "But  if  I 
see  him  to  speak  to  him  once  more  — 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  381 

"  Yea,  if  thou  couldst  speak  to  him  once  more,  thou 
vvouldst  be  comforted." 

The  other  women  of  the  company  paid  but  little 
attention  to  them,  being  absorbed  in  their  own  sorrows. 

"  Yea,  if  I  but  see  Hassan,  face  to  face,  I  shall  be 
satisfied,"  Hilwe,  along  the  dusty  highway  to  Jaffa,  kept 
murmuring  to  herself,  in  that  inward  voice  that  is  the 
heart's  register. 

Love,  that  greatest  of  all  things,  sustained  her. 


CHAPTER   XXXIV 

EST  thee,  rest  thee.  Thou  art  sick  unto  death, 
Hilwe;  and  thou  hast  given  thyself  no  peace 
since  we  reached  Jaffa." 

"  How  can  I  take  rest,  or  have  any  peace?  They  are 
not  for  such  as  I  am." 

"  Thou  hast  done  what  thou  couldst  to  find  him.  If 
thou  hast  failed,  it  is  not  thy  fault.  Besides,  he  must 
have  got  thy  message.  And  Chalil  must  be  with  him. 
Lay  thy  head  in  my  lap,  Hilwe,  and  take  a  little  sleep. 
Have  mercy  upon  thyself,  or  thy  life  will  go  out." 

"  How  can  my  eyes  slumber  or  sleep,  and  how  can  I 
take  comfort  when  I  consider  that  Hassan  may  at  this 
very  moment  be  in  torment,  —  or  perhaps  dying,  or  dead ; 
or  may  shortly  be  carried  whither  I  know  not,  and  where 
I  never  shall  be  able  to  see  him?  The  transports  have 
come.  They  may  take  him  away  to-morrow.  O  Kadra, 
I  have  cried  to  Allah  in  the  daytime,  and  he  has  heard 
me  not,  and  in  the  nighttime,  and  he  has  answered  not ! 
Woe  is  me  !  He  hath  added  grief  to  my  sorrow.  I  am 
faint  from  sighing,  and  I  find  no  rest.  I  am  but  a 
woman ;  I  have  no  prayers  that  are  acceptable  to  him, 
as  have  the  men.  Yet  in  my  heart  have  I  besought  him 
that  he  would  have  compassion." 

"  O  Hilwe,  thou  wilt  weep  the  eyes  out  of  thy  head ! 
Heed  what  I  speak  to  thee,  and  have  pity  upon  thyself, 
else  thou  wilt  not  be  able  to  sustain  that  which  is  coming 


382  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

upon  thec.  Thou  sayest  we  women  have  no  prayers  as 
have  the  men.  It  is  true.  The  Khateeb  doth  not  teach 
us  as  the  Kasees  doth  the  Nazarene  women.  Yet,  though 
we  have  not  been  taught  the  prayers  of  our  Prophet  in 
the  Koran  —  praised  be  his  name  !  —  I  am  persuaded 
there  is  that  within  us  which  Allah  doth  not  despise.  Is 
he  not  the  Most  Merciful?  Is  not  his  pity  over  all 
things?  He  knows  that  we  poor  women  have  no  help 
but  from  him.  He  knows  we  have  not  been  taught.  Our 
prayer  is  like  the  cry  of  the  wild  things  on  the  hills. 
Therefore  the  speechless  voice  of  the  heart  reaches  him 
sooner  than  the  loudest  prayers.  Dost  thou  believe 
me?" 

"  I  will  try  to  believe  thee,  Kadra;   I  must,  I  must !  " 

"  Then  come  hither.  Let  me  break  with  thee  this 
morsel  of  bread.  And  see,  I  have  filled  my  water-bottle 
with  pure  cool  water,  freshly  brought  up,  by  the  wheel 
yonder,  out  of  the  ground." 

Kadra  drew  Hilwe  aside  under  the  shelter  of  a  wide- 
spreading  olive-tree,  on  the  border  of  an  extensive 
orange-grove,  the  proprietor  of  which  had  allowed  her 
to  help  herself  to  the  clear  sparkling  water  raised  in  such 
glorious  abundance  by  the  sakieh  or  na'ura.  This 
machine,  known  in  the  Spanish  as  noria,  and  in  many 
respects  similar  to  that  of  Spain  and  to  the  ancient  Per 
sian  water-wheel,  is  a  wooden  wheel  with  swinging,  re 
versible  earthen  vessels  attached,  which,  as  it  revolves, 
empties  their  contents  into  a  great  stone  tank,  from 
which  the  water  is  distributed,  in  branching  cement- 
lined  conduits,  to  all  parts  of  the  grove  and  gardens. 
This  is  the  method  of  irrigation  employed  in  the  cele 
brated  orange-groves  and  gardens  at  Jaffa,  where  water 
is  found  in  surprising  quantity  only  a  few  feet  beneath 
the  sandy  soil. 

Kadra,  with  kindly  tact,  had  called  Hilvve's  attention 
to  their  remarkable  surroundings,  hoping  to  relieve  the 
poor  girl's  mind  from  the  severe  strain  and  heavy  bur 
den  which  oppressed  it.  From  where  they  sat,  they 
could  hear  the  creaking  of  the  wheel  and  splashing  of 
the  water,  and,  through  the  branches  of  the  orange- 
trees,  caught  glimpses  of  the  ox  and  ass — the  simple 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  383 

motive  power  —  as  they  went  their  monotonous  round, 
the  unconscious  origin  of  the  force. 

The  calm,  benignant  air  was  saturated  with  tropical 
fragrance,  affording  that  fulness  of  satisfaction  and 
assurance  of  peace  and  quiet  which  is  indescribable. 
The  allied  aroma  of  orange,  citron,  lime  and  lemon,  and 
the  perfume  of  thousands  of  cultivated  blossoms  of  the 
parterre  mingled  with  the  sweet  breath  of  the  yellow- 
flowered  acacia,  sometimes  known  as  the  opoponax,  and 
which  thorny  shrub,  planted  with  the  prickly  pear  cactus 
of  enormous  size,  formed  dense  impenetrable  hedges  on 
each  side  of  the  narrow  lanes  and  roads,  protecting  as 
effectually  the  wide  plantations  of  the  golden  fruit  as 
did  the  enchanted  dragon  the  fabulous  gardens  of  the 
Hesperides. 

A  sea-like  expanse  of  orange  groves  surrounded  the 
spot  where  the  two  women  sat.  Amid  the  lustrous 
green  of  the  leaves  and  the  silvery  bridal  blooms  shone 
a  lavish  wealth  of  the  golden  globes,  each  an  auriferous 
world  in  miniature.  At  frequent  intervals  groups  of  the 
date  palm  lifted  their  stately  tapering  trunks,  crowned 
with  broad  feathery  leaves,  high  in  air,  with  saintly 
assurance.  These  great  branchy  leaves  were  the  trophies 
of  the  victor  —  given  to  him  that  overcometh;  and  they 
seemed  conscious  of  their  ancient  honour.  Beneath 
their  gently  swaying  curves  tenderly  outlined  against 
the  cloudless  blue  of  the  sky,  to  which  they  are  akin, 
sumptuous  clusters  of  the  date-fruit,  some  crimson,  some 
honey-yellow,  hung  in  generous  profusion.  That  fine 
far-off  deeper  blue  is  the  Mediterranean  itself,  the 
great  sea,  across  whose  sapphire  background  may  be 
detected  the  sunny  gleam  of  flitting  sails,  —  while,  seated 
on  her  mount  of  rock  and  sand,  crouching  at  the  water's 
brink,  with  many  a  dome  and  pinnacle  and  suggestive 
minaret,  Jaffa,  the  quaint  old  town,  which  tradition  says 
was  founded  before  the  Deluge,  looks  down  with  jealous 
pride  upon  the  whole  entrancing  scene.  No  wonder 
that  Kadra,  catching  sight  of  the  breezy,  crispy  blue  of 
the  sea,  under  the  unwonted  spell,  was  carried  away  with 
the  rare  splendour  of  it. 

"  O  Jaffa  —  Yafa  —  '  the  beautiful/  as  well  thou  art 


384  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

named,  thou  art  even  as  the  Eden  that  Allah  planted  for 
the  first  man  and  woman." 

She  tried  thus  to  rally  Hilwe,  and  coax  her  out  of 
her  grief  into  admiration  of  the  place,  but  in  vain. 

"  I  know  it  is  fair  and  excellent,"  she  replied  ;  "  but " 
—  she  shook  her  head  sadly  —  "it  cuts  me  to  the  heart, 
Kadra,  when  I  think  of  Hassan." 

She  hid  her  face  against  Kadra's  bosom,  weeping 
bitterly. 

Kadra  herself  broke  down,  and  mingled  her  tears  with 
those  of  the  sorrowing  girl. 

"  Would  to  God  we  saw  it  with  a  happy  heart,"  sighed 
the  pitying  woman,  folding  Hilwe  in  her  arms. 

"  Ah,  would  it  were  so  !  " 

"Yea,  Hilwe;  thou  art  right;  the  beauty  of  the  garden 
is  enjoyed  by  him  whose  mind  is  at  ease." 

"  I  see  not  the  roses  for  the  pain  of  the  thorns.  I  can 
give  myself  no  rest,  nor  take  any  peace  till  I  have  found 
him." 

"  Alas,  in  a  world  like  this,  one  must  be  under  obliga 
tion  to  a  hundred  thorns  for  the  sake  of  one  rose,"  mused 
Kadra. 

Afterwards  both  the  women,  for  heaviness  of  heart, 
were  silent  for  a  long  time.  Then  Hilwe  roused  herself 

"  Art  thou  rested,  Kadra,"  she  asked  in  a  soft  voice. 

"  Yea,  as  much  as  I  shall  be,"  returned  the  brave 
woman. 

"Then  let  us  be  going." 

"  Ah,  I  knew  where  thy  mind  was  !  Truly  I  am  ready. 
It  cannot  be  but  that  this  time  we  shall  find  him." 

That  night,  as  they  were  slowly  and  sadly  returning, 
weary  and  dispirited,  from  another  fruitless  effort  to  reach 
Hassan,  they  wandered  out  of  their  road,  and  became 
utterly  bewildered  in  their  attempts  to  find  the  way. 
The  darkness  that  had  quenched  the  scarlet  of  the  pome 
granate  blossom  filled  the  whole  breadth  of  the  firmament 
with  blazing,  palpitating,  starry  suns  that  chanted  with 
unceasing  voice  their  unheeded  prophecy  to  man. 

"  More  worlds  !  more  light !  more  life  !  "  they  cried, 
as  they  had  done  for  centuries  of  millenniums,  even  before 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  385 

that  epoch  when  the  earth  was  formless  and  void,  and 
blackness  was  upon  the  face  of  the  vague  abysm. 

It  is  a  glory  and  a  horror  —  too  much  for  the  poor 
human  heart.  And  yet  man  staggers  on  because  he 
must,  looking  tip  occasionally. 

Many  a  time  did  Hilwe  stumble.  But  it  was  more 
from  exhaustion  than  from  obstacles  encountered  in  the 
darkness.  And  the  dimming  blur  or  mistiness  which 
hid  or  obscured  from  her  the  nearer  surrounding  objects 
was  not  caused  by  the  condition  of  the  atmosphere,  but 
by  the  tears  which  filled  her  eyes. 

The  too  sweet  breath  of  the  orange  groves  was  heavy 
to  oppressiveness  in  the  night.  The  sighing  of  the  breeze 
was  like  the  whispering  of  mystic  voices,  warning,  plead 
ing.  The  strange  and  awful  shapes  assumed  by  the 
trees  and  other  natural  forms  in  the  imperfect  light  filled 
both  the  women  with  superstitious  horror. 

They  heard  the  challenge  of  the  pickets.  Just  then  a 
soldier  passed  near  them.  They  lay  low  till  he  had  gone 
by,  and  then  resumed  their  tramp  with  dread. 

"  It  is  plain,"  said  Kadra,  "  we  wander  more  and  more 
out  of  the  way.  When  one  is  in  trouble  he  becomes 
bewildered  and  silly,  and  goes  round  and  round,  follow 
ing  not  a  straight  course,  till  he  is  bewitched  and  lost." 

"Then  we  are  lost,"  said  Hilwe.  "Thou  dost  not 
know  where  we  are." 

"  It  is  even  so,"  admitted  Kadra.  "  But  what  wonder? 
Wandering  about  in  the  night,  worse  than  that  might 
easily  have  befallen  us.  The  jinns  —  the  evil  spirits  —  are 
abroad  to  do  mischief  on  such  occasions  as  this." 

As  she  spoke  they  heard  a  doleful  sound  as  of  some 
one  in  distress  and  groaning.  This  added  to  their  alarm. 

"  Hearest  thou  that?  "  asked  Hilwe  in  a  low  voice. 

"  Ay.     Did  I  not  tell  thee  ?  " 

Involuntarily  turning  their  eyes,  though  with  much 
foreboding,  in  the  direction  of  the  sound,  they  beheld 
what  terrified  them  still  more.  They  saw,  not  twenty 
paces  off,  what  seemed  the  form  of  a  man  with  out 
stretched  arms,  fastened  to  a  crooked,  distorted  tree. 
Lifted  up  against  such  scant  and  scattered  light  as  still 
lingered  in  the  western  sky,  the  strangely  exposed  body, 

25 


386  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

to  their  affrighted  vision,  had  a  preternatural  aspect  and 
almost  gigantic  proportions. 

In  her  delicate,  feeble,  and  weary  condition,  Hilwe, 
perhaps  less  courageous  than  Kadra,  had  hardly  trusted 
herself  to  cast  more  than  a  momentary  side  glance  at  the 
fearful  object.  It  was  enough.  Her  imagination  did  the 
rest. 

The  horror  of  the  superstitious  in  the  presence  of  what 
they  suppose  to  be  the  spectral  or  supernatural,  is  not 
easily  measured.  Even  steadfast  minds,  as  well  as  those 
who  deny  the  existence  of  spiritual  agencies  and  the 
Supreme  Being,  have  been  known  under  the  pressure 
of  some  unwonted  ordeal,  to  give  way  in  this  direction. 
With  their  peculiar  belief  as  regards  spirits,  afreets,  jinns, 
gnomes,  and  all  the  ghostly  paraphernalia  connected 
with  the  unseen  or  unknown  world,  the  peasants  of 
Palestine  are  exposed  in  an  unusual  degree  to  the  sus 
ceptibilities  thereby  engendered.  Those  imponderable 
creatures  of  the  air  are  to  them  very  real  existences  of 
everyday  conversation.  They  are  feared,  are  the  sub 
ject  of  prayer,  and  are  guarded  against  by  numerous 
well-known  precautions,  and  the  employment  of  various 
devices  in  the  shape  of  spells,  talismans,  and  amulets 
innumerable.  That  other  world,  not  far  from  any  of  us, 
is  very  near  these  simple  people.  But  it  is  the  malign 
side  of  it  that  has  the  strongest  hold  on  them.  They 
feel  the  wings  of  those  unfriendly  phantoms  brush  them 
in  their  unholy  flight,  hear  their  passing  voices,  some 
times  see  their  fearful  shapes,  and  regard  them  unques 
tionably  as  agents  of  Ibices,  the  Evil  One. 

The  two  women  remained  spell-bound,  trembling  with 
fear,  not  daring  to  move  from  where  they  stood. 

"  It  is  a  ghoul  who  has  assumed  this  shape  in  order  to 
lure  us  to  destruction,"  whispered  Kadra.  "  Be  careful, 
Hilwe.  Do  not  stir  or  make  any  noise,  lest  we  attract 
his  attention." 

As  she  spoke  she  drew  through  her  fingers  the  blue 
bead  suspended  from  her  neck,  regarded  as  a  potent 
fetich  to  ward  off  disaster  —  especially  the  "  evil  eye  " 
and  repeated  inaudibly  some  pagan  form  of  incantation. 

Hilwe  bowed  her  head,  but  uttered  not  a  word.      An 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  387 

inexpressible,  unaccountable  awe  thrilled  her.  Her  heart 
beat  fast  with  an  undefined  mingling  of  ecstasy  and  pain. 
She  knew  not  what  it  meant.  The  stillness  and  the 
gloom,  and  the  pervading  odours  from  the  orange  groves 
and  hedges  of  opoponax  were  more  oppressive  than  ever. 
The  very  air  and  the  darkness  weighed  upon  her  as  a 
burden.  But  the  life  leaped  strong  within  her,  in  sym 
pathetic  recognition. 

Again  came  that  agonizing  groan  of  weariness  and 
distress.  How  strangely  it  moved  her ! 

Then  she  heard  a  voice  —  a  man's  voice  and  words : 

"  O  Allah,  Allah!  Hast  thou  forgotten  me?  Wilt 
thou  leave  me  to  perish?  " 

The  cry  went  to  her  heart.  It  was  as  the  voice  of  her 
life  !  A  cry  out  of  the  infinite  !  Soul  calling  unto  soul ! 

She  sprang  forward,  raising  her  eyes  without  fear  or 
hesitation  to  the  figure  so  cruelly  bound  upon  the  tree. 

She  knew  it !  Ah  !  did  she  not?  She  knew,  for  she 
loved  every  atom  of  that  tortured  body.  He  had  saved 
her  from  the  dark  waters.  She  had  lain  in  his  bosom. 
He  had  given  her  life.  He  was  her  all. 

"  Merciful  God,  it  is  Hassan  !  "  she  cried. 

The  next  moment  she  was  beside  him. 

She  bent  herself  beneath  his  feet,  to  relieve  the  tension 
upon  his  strained  and  outstretched  arms. 

"  My  Hassan  !   My  Hassan  !  " 

She  embraced  and  fondled  the  sacred  knees.  She 
kissed  the  precious  feet.  Oh,  the  pity  and  the  love ! 

His  head  had  fallen  forward  on  his  chest.  Sorrow  and 
pain  had  drunk  the  light  out  of  his  glorious  eyes,  now 
languid  and  sunken ;  yet  still  they  looked  into  her  eyes 
with  the  love  that  is  immortal  —  that  is  the  lord  and  giver 
of  life.  It  seemed  a  last  effort. 

Both  head  and  feet  were  bare.  His  ghastly  face  was 
stained  with  the  blood  which  flowed  from  a  wound  on 
his  brow.  The  hair  of  his  head  and  face  were  matted 
with  it.  His  torn  and  scanty  garments,  far  from  sufficient 
to  cover  him,  and  half  stripped  from  him,  the  result  of 
many  a  desperate  struggle,  were  splashed  with  the  same 
red  stream.  The  great  thews  and  sinews  of  the  man, 
his  muscular  force,  his  inveterate  power  —  the  majestic 


388  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

beauty  of  his  entire  body,  broke  through  the  rents  and 
the  scraps  and  patches  of  the  miserable  raiment  that 
could  not  conceal  or  degrade  him,  and  manifested 
themselves  despite  the  soiled  and  ragged  fragments  of 
the  poor  and  shabby  uniform  into  which  his  guards  had 
thrust  him. 

All  the  exalted  pity  of  the  woman's  nature  arose  in 
desperate  rebellion  at  the  sight. 

"  Alas,  my  Hassan,  that  I  should  have  sought  thee  to 
find  thee  thus !  " 

But  though  she  spoke  to  him  so  tenderly,  so  softly, 
within  her  was  gathering  the  concentrated  rage  of  a  fury. 
She  seized  the  ropes  that  bound  him,  and  tried  to  loosen 
or  break  them.  She  tugged  at  the  knots  with  her  teeth, 
to  undo  the  shameful  bonds  and  release  him. 

When  Kadra  came  up,  she  eagerly  assisted  in  the 
work. 

But  knots  fastened  in  this  country,  and  especially  with 
such  a  purpose,  are  not  easily  unloosened ;  and  the 
women  made  but  little  progress. 

"The  knots  are  accursed,  and  so  be  those  who  made 
them,"  vociferated  Kadra,  in  her  wrath. 

They  searched  in  vain  for  something  to  sever  them 
with. 

"  Thou  wilt  have  to  leave  me  to  my  fate,  Hilwe.  The 
guards  will  soon  return,  and  find  thee  ;  and  then  —  "  As 
Hassan  feebly  spoke  the  words,  the  damp  as  of  death 
was  on  his  brow.  "  I  would  rather  die  —  I  would  rather 
see  thee  dead  than  see  thee  in  their  hands." 

Called  away  by  some  sudden  alarm,  the  soldiers  in 
charge  of  him,  having  bound  him  with  unusual  care, 
suspending  him  by  the  wrists,  had  confidently  left  him 
alone,  intending  shortly  to  return.  They  had  evidently 
been  detained  longer  than  they  expected.  Thus  Hilwe 
and  Kadra  had  found  him. 

"Keep  courage,  Hassan;  we  shall  do  our  best  to 
relieve  thee,"  replied  Hilwe,  redoubling  her  exertions. 

"  Yea,  we  shall  not  cease  till  we  release  thee,"  added 
Kadra. 

"  Surely  the  knife  has  reached  the  bone,"  he  said  in 
his  agony.  Then,  in  a  paroxysm  :  "  What  am  I  thinking 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  389 

of?   and  what  does  Allah  intend?     I  cannot  let  thee 
stay.     Thou  art  in  grievous  peril." 

At  last  they  had  loosed  the  knots  which  suspended 
him  by  the  wrists  to  that  abhorrent  contorted  tree. 

"  Truly  it  is  as  accursed  as  it  is  crooked  !  "  said  Kadra. 

Slowly  and  carefully  they  lowered  the  body,  Hilwe 
receiving  it  in  her  arms.  Every  movement  was  torture 
to  him ;  but  not  a  groan  escaped  his  lips.  Was  he  not 
in  the  arms  of  his  beloved? 

The  glorious  being,  in  all  his  grand  proportions,  late 
replete  with  manly  force  —  like  one  of  the  young  gods 
in  his  strong  vitality  —  now  helpless  as  an  infant,  lay 
stretched  upon  the  ground.  He  seemed  larger  than 
ever  —  more  than  ever  to  Hilwe,  who  supported  his  head 
upon  her  bosom,  her  face  pressed  to  his.  The  supreme 
joy  of  having  him  usurped  every  other  feeling  for  the 
moment.  All  he  had  suffered  made  him  tenfold  dearer 
to  her.  Their  tears  mingled. 

"  I  scarcely  dare  tell  Hilwe,"  murmured  Kadra;  "  but, 
unless  certain  help  is  given,  the  pangs  of  death  are  upon 
him,  or  I  am  mistaken.  Not  one  in  a  thousand  could 
stand  what  he  has  gone  through,  and  live.  Yet  must  we 
do  what  we  can  to  save  his  life,  and  not  despair." 

She  gave  him  water  to  drink,  while  Hilwe  chafed  his 
hands.  This  revived  him  somewhat.  The  great  soul- 
full  eyes  turned  to  thank  them.  Kadra,  who  had  no 
little  knowledge  of  herbs  and  the  simple  remedies  of  the 
country  —  hence  her  surname  of  "  wise  woman  " 
hastened  to  apply  certain  of  them  which  she  was  usually 
provided  with.  She  bathed  and  dressed  his  wounds 
with  the  coolness,  assurance,  and  considerable  of  the 
skill  of  the  hakim  — •  or  regular  physician  —  the  Arabic 
word  for  doctor  being  synonymous  with  "wise  man." 
She  evidently  craved  to  take  possession  of  him,  and 
minister  to  him.  It  was  part  of  her  nature.  And 
Hassan  submitted  to  it,  as  if  he  were  a  child,  without 
a  question,  or  a  thought  of  impropriety. 

"Truly  I  may  say  my  body  is  full  of  wounds,"  he 
said  ;  "  where  shall  I  apply  a  plaster?  " 

But,  with  all  her  show  of  stoicism,  Kadra  was  full  of 
sympathy  for  him.  Indeed,  it  may  as  well  be  admitted, 


390  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

her  feeling  for  him  was  one  of  love.  Nor  was  this  of  a 
day's  growth,  though  only  of  late  had  she  recognised  it. 

The  tears  filled  her  eyes  as  she  bathed  his  wounded 
head,  his  lacerated  back,  and  the  welts  that  scored  his 
loins. 

"  No  wonder  that  there  is  not  left  even  a  sigh  in  his 
heart,"  she  said. 

The  peculiarities  of  the  marriage  relation  under  Mo 
hammedanism  are  such  as  permit  on  the  part  of  the 
man  of  a  division  of  the  heart  to  an  extent  unknown  to, 
or  at  least  not  openly  acknowledged  in  Christian 
countries.  Kadra's  love  for  Hassan  would  have  been 
ludicrous  had  it  not  been  pathetic.  At  any  rate,  as  it 
was  totally  unreciprocated,  it  was  not  such  as  to  make 
Hilwe  jealous,  or  the  least  uncomfortable. 

"  It  is  strange.  He  does  not  think  of  me  that  way," 
Kadra  would  say  musingly. 

Yes,  Hassan's  indifference  towards  her  was  among  the 
unaccountable  things  to  Kadra  —  as,  no  doubt,  he  was  a 
'*  true  believer,"  she  reasoned,  and  naturally  quite  as 
capable  of  dealing  with  the  subject  as  was  any  other  son 
of  Islam.  Besides,  she  considered  he  had  shown  some 
preference  for  her.  She  recalled  his  present  to  her  of 
the  sheep,  and  other  more  delicate  if  less  tangible  atten 
tions  in  the  shape  of  expressed  admiration  and  good 
will,  and  innumerable  compliments.  They  had  not 
brought  the  desired  result,  it  is  true.  Yet  still  they 
remained  facts.  And  facts  are  stubborn  things. 

In  this  she  had  not  the  least  intention  of  encroaching 
on  Hilwe's  rights  and  prerogatives ;  and,  as  we  have 
seen,  both  the  women  remained  the  best  of  friends. 

"  The  law  allows  the  man  four  wives  and  many  concu 
bines,"  Kadra  would  say  ruminatively,  and  with  an 
aggrieved  spirit. 

But  it  did  not  enter  Hassan's  head  that  the  "wise 
woman,"  of  grotesquely  grim  aspect,  had  any  serious 
intentions  towards  him  matrimonially.  Neither  did  such 
an  idea  enter  Hilwe's  brain.  How  could  it?  Nor  did 
the  fact  of  her  love  in  any  sense  detract  from  the  kindly 
spirit  and  ministrations  of  the  elder  woman,  assigning 
them  to  a  selfish  motive.  If  her  heart  had  betrayed  her, 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  391 

and  carried  her  further  than  she  intended,  she  was  not 
to  blame.  She  could  not  help  it  Her  secret  was  her 
own.  There  was  no  sin  in  it. 

Kadra's  healing  touch  was  in  this  case  the  touch  of 
love.  Therefore  it  should  have  carried  twice  the  potency. 
It  seemed  efficacious  with  Hassan.  Life,  while  sometimes 
as  transient  as  a  vapour,  has,  again,  a  tenacity  that 
exceeds  expectation ;  and  the  vitality  lodged  in  the 
stalwart  young  shepherd  was  of  no  doubtful  or  evanes 
cent  sort,  though  the  body  had  been  put  to  such  an 
extreme  test,  it  had  scarce  power  to  retain  it. 

The  passionate  nature  of  the  man  was  not  without  its 
influence. 

"  Art  thou  better?  "  asked  Hilwe  anxiously. 

"Yea,"  he  replied.  Then,  as  if  in  contempt  of  his 
weakness,  he  added :  "  When  the  heart  has  become 
faint  it  ought  to  be  removed  from  the  breast." 

"  Say  not  so,  Hassan,"  she  said,  shaking  her  head 
sadly. 

"  When  a  man's  strength  is  gone,  Hilwe,  of  what  use 
is  he?  He  is  not  fit  to  live." 

"  Ah,  my  Hassan,  if  only  I  had  thee  with  me,  I  would 
soon  nurse  thy  strength  back  to  thee  !  But  —  but  they 
will  take  thee  from  me." 

Hilwe  burst  into  tears  and  was  unable  to  proceed. 

Hassan  too  was  silent.  Then,  with  a  choking  sob, 
he  said : 

"  Alas,  my  Hilwe,  what  a  number  of  desires  have 
come  to  naught !  Little  did  we  think,  that  happy  day, 
in  the  paradise  on  the  hillside,  that  this  should  be  the 
end.  I,  who  should  have  been  thy  comfort  and  stay, 
am  helpless,  and  unable  to  defend  thee.  How  can  I 
leave  thee  to  thy  fate?  It  was  the  thought  of  that 
made  me  desperate.  I  broke  away  from  them,  again 
and  again.  But  the  very  stars  in  the  heavens  were 
against  me.  Did  I  not  see  our  stars  —  the  Palestine 
cluster — the  glittering  Fishes  of  the  East —  blotted  out 
with  watery  haze?  I  might  have  known.  They  were 
turned  from  me.  I  was  unfortunate  from  the  be 
ginning." 

"  It  is  I  who  have  brought  all  this  trouble  upon  thee. 


392  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Had  it  not  been  for  me  thou  wouldst  have  submitted 
peaceably." 

"  Rather  it  is  I  who  have  brought  trouble  upon  thee, 
Hilwe.  Yet  what  is  the  use  of  lamenting  that  which  is 
done,  and  cannot  be  recalled?  And  now,  Allah  help 
thee  and  me,  I  must  bid  thee  farewell,  and  beseech  of 
thee  to  leave  me.  The  guards  may  return  at  any 
moment." 

"  O  Hassan,  I  cannot —  I  cannot  go  !  " 

"Hark!  What  is  that  sound?  Methought  I  heard 
approaching  steps.  Perhaps  it  is  the  pickets.  We 
must  speak  softly  not  to  attract  attention.  It  even  is 
with  us  as  with  the  jackal,  —  his  cry  when  in  trouble  is 
his  greatest  misfortune,  for  it  discovers  him  to  his 
enemies.  We  cannot  give  voice  to  our  grief,  Hilwe. 
We  must  bear  it  without  lamentation." 

"  There  is  no  voice  left  in  us,"  said  Kadra.  "  We 
have  poured  out  our  souls  with  weeping.  We  promise 
we  shall  make  no  noise  of  lamentation.  And  suffer  us 
now  to  remain  with  thee  to  the  end,  or,  at  least,  till  the 
guard  comes.  We  would  not  be  ignorant  of  what  hap 
pens  to  thee." 

Thus  adding  her  importunities  to  those  of  Hilwe, 
Hassan  could  no  longer  contend  with  them,  but  of  ne 
cessity  and  inclination  gave  way,  though  much  against 
his  judgment. 

"  And  thou  wilt  stay,  Hilwe?"  he  said. 

"  Yea,  I  will  stay.  They  may  take  thee  from  me, 
but  I  shall  not  leave  thee." 

Hilwe  threw  herself  into  his  arms,  and  wept  upon  his 
breast  as  a  sorrowing  child  wreeps  upon  the  mother's 
bosom. 

"Wilt  thou  break  my  heart,  Hilwe?  Alas,  alas! 
How  shall  I  console  thee?  Bismillah,  let  me  kiss  thee 
once  more,  my  beloved."  His  voice  faltered.  He 
could  scarce  proceed.  "This  is  our  farewell.  Allah 
be  kind  to  thee  this  dark  night  and  for  evermore ;  and 
may  he  watch  between  thee  and  me  —  when  we  are 
parted." 

Kadra,  whose  soul  was  torn  within  her,  had  with 
drawn  some  time  previously,  out  of  sight  and  hearing, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  393 

into  the  deeper  shade,  where  she  flung  herself  behind 
a  tree,  sobbing  bitterly. 

"  Ay,  leave  them  to  themselves,"  she  had  said,  ad 
dressing  herself.  "  No  one  may  intermeddle  with  a 
grief  like  theirs.  Do  I  not  know  how  it  is?" 

"  I  am  troubled,  and  greatly  fear  for  thee,  Hilwe," 
Hassan  continued.  "  I  may  not  tell  thee." 

Again  and  again  he  pressed  her  in  his  arms,  sooth 
ingly. 

"  Fear  not  for  me,"  replied  Hilwe  bravely.  "  I  think 
not  of  myself.  All  my  fears  are  for  thee." 

He  lowered  his  voice,  and  whispered  to  her  many  an 
endearing  word  —  lovers'  words  that  are  so  lief  and 
satisfying. 

"  How  I  have  loved  thee  !  "  he  said.  "  My  whole  life 
was  given  to  thee.  I  would  have  spent  myself  upon 
thee.  Rememberest  thou  the  days  that  are  past  how 
I  folded  thee  in  my  abai,  and  told  thee  it  was  large 
enough  for  two?" 

"  Yea,  yea;  how  could  I  forget?  " 

"Mashallah — praise  be  to  God!  When  I  think  of 
it,  I  am  again  among  the  lilies  and  the  asphodels,  and 
the  gold  and  silver  blooms ;  and  the  day  is  sweet  and 
shining;  and  thy  love  hath  made  me  blest;  and  the 
world  is  kind  and  beautiful ;  and  all  is  well.  When  I 
recall  it,  I  am  a  man  and  strong  once  more— I  am 
strong  and  free.  Were  it  not  that  it  would  be  worse 
than  madness,  I  would,  even  this  moment,  again  at 
tempt  to  escape.  But  it  would  be  folly;  they  have 
their  pickets  placed  all  around.  As  I  am  now,  we 
could  not  evade  them.  I  know  not  how  it  was  that 
they  did  not  intercept  thee.  It  was  Allah  brought  thee 
to  me." 

"  Yes,  it  was  Allah  brought  me  to  thee,"  she  softly 
echoed,  with  her  lips  to  his. 

"  And  now,  Hilwe,  wilt  thou  not  have  mercy  upon 
thyself?  Wilt  thou  not  heed  the  words  I  spake  to  thee, 
for  the  sake  of  thine  unborn  child?  Would  that  thou 
wast-  in  a  place  of  safety  !  Did  I  only  know  that  thou 
wast  safe,  I  should  not  care  what  hardship  and  trouble 
befell  me." 


394  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Before  she  could  make  reply,  they  heard  the  tramp 
of  approaching  feet.  This  was  followed  by  the  flash  of 
a  lantern  through  the  branches  of  the  nearer  trees. 

"  They  are  coming !  They  are  even  here !  "  cried 
Kadra,  rushing  out  of  her  place  of  retreat,  and  taking 
her  stand  beside  Hilwe. 

"  Fly,  Hilwe  !  Fly,  while  there  is  yet  time  !  Save 
her,  Kadra !  "  exclaimed  Hassan.  "  Take  care  of  her, 
and  be  good  to  her." 

The  next  instant  the  lantern  was  turned  full  on 
them,  and  they  were  quickly  surrounded  by  the  guard. 

"  Hah  !  Another  attempt  to  escape,"  said  the  officer 
in  command. 

"  Nay,  thou  art  mistaken,"  exclaimed  Kadra.  "  We 
found  him  dying  —  almost  dead  ;  and  we  loosed  him  to 
save  his  life." 

"  That  sounds  well.  Verily  that  may  be  so,"  was  the 
mocking  retort.  "  He  looks  very  much  alive  now,  at 
any  rate.  But  how  comest  thou  here?  " 

It  was  a  moment  of  terror.  The  horror  they  had 
been  anticipating  had  fallen  upon  them. 

"Wilt  thou  not  have  mercy?  "  pleaded  Hilwe.  "  In 
deed  it  is  we  who  are  to  blame." 

She  wrung  her  hands  in  despair  as  she  spoke  the 
words,  which  were  unheeded,  and  hardly  knowing  what 
she  said. 

"  Do  your  duty,  men !  Take  him !  "  rang  out  the 
order.  "  We  have  no  time  to  lose.  We  can  risk  no 
more  in  a  case  like  this.  Bring  him  along !  " 

The  women  were  promptly  thrust  aside  by  the  sol 
diers,  while  they  seized  Hassan. 

They  closed  around  him,  and  dragged  him  off  with 
them,  though  he  was  scarcely  able  to  move. 

This  was  the  last  Hilwe  saw  of  him. 

The  guards  with  Hassan  passed  through  a  larger  body 
of  troops,  with  the  action  of  a  machine. 

The  darkness  and  the  unknown  had  swallowed  him 
up. 

All  was  so  inexorably  sharp  and  swift,  it  was  like  a 
heart-thrust  from  a  rapier — the  cleaving  of  souls  in 
sunder. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  395 

Only  a  few  minutes  afterwards,  a  pencil  of  light 
pierced  the  gloom,  and  returning  footsteps  were  heard. 
It  was  the  officer  with  one  of  his  men,  carrying  a 
lantern. 

"Where  are  those  women?"  excitedly  asked  the 
former  of  the  latter.  "  Was  it  not  here  we  left  them?" 

"  Yes,  it  was  here,"  was  the  reply. 

"Then,  where  are  they?  " 

"  God  knows." 

They  spent  some  time  carefully  but  unsuccessfully 
searching  over  the  ground. 

"  I  cannot  find  them." 

The  soldier  spoke  with  provokingly  stolid  manner. 

"  No,  thou  canst  not.     The  more  the  pity." 

Then,  the  officer  giving  vent  to  his  disappointment  in 
more  than  one  malediction,  they  departed  whence  they 
came. 

Hilwe  and  Kadra,  at  the  first  glimmer  of  the  return 
ing  lantern,  had  taken  warning  and,  hand  in  hand,  fled 
under  the  friendly  shadow  of  the  palms  and  orange- 
trees,  spending  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  safety  be 
neath  an  opoponax  hedge. 


CHAPTER   XXXV 

HASSAN  had  indeed  fallen  upon  evil  days.  The 
light  had  faded  from  his  eyes.  Those  great 
luminous  eyes  were  like  eclipsed  planets  whose  light 
is  turned  to  shadow. 

His  fears  for  Hilwe's  safety  were  maddening.  He 
tried  to  steady  his  mind  and  think,  but  he  could  not. 

What  was  that  hammering,  that  throbbing?  Was  it 
in  his  heart  or  in  his  brain?  It  kept  saying,  "Where  is 
she?  Where  is  she?  Where  is  she?  Thou  coward, 
why  dost  thou  not  save  her?" 

The  narrow  room,  or  rather  cell,  in  which  Hassan  was 
placed  that  night  could  scarcely  be  considered  inviting. 
From  its  appearance  it  would  be  difficult  to  say  whether 


396  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

it  belonged  to  a  monastery,  or  a  jail,  a  barrack,  hospital, 
or  fort.  It  was  scarcely  eight  feet  square,  and  its  entire 
furnishing  consisted  of  a  few  handfuls  of  straw  and  a  mat, 
the  substitutes  for  a  bed,  which  lay  in  a  dark  corner  upon 
the  stone  floor.  The  walls  were  of  the  extraordinary 
thickness  of  ten  feet. 

The  cell,  whose  smallness  did  not  prevent  its  being 
lonely,  evidently  overhung  the  sea ;  for,  through  the  loop 
hole  at  one  end,  the  damp,  saline  breath  of  the  Mediterra 
nean  blew  in  with  incessant  sighing  and  a  coolness  which 
was  not  unrefreshing  to  Hassan  in  his  fevered  delirious 
state.  He  could  hear,  in  the  obscurity  of  the  night,  the 
surf  raving  and  complaining  in  its  unknown  tongue,  which 
it  had  learned  before  ever  there  was  human  voice,  or  the 
spirit  of  God  had  moved  upon  the  face  of  the  void.  How 
it  swells  and  breaks  against  the  rocks  beneath  and  sends 
up  dashes  of  spray,  smiting  the  foundation  and  lower 
parts  of  the  building  with  an  angry  hissing  threat! 

"  I  shall  rive  the  soul  out  of  me,  or  I  shall  have  thee," 
it  seemed  to  say. 

Perhaps  it  was  the  reincarnation  of  the  dread  sea 
monster  slain  by  Perseus,  fiercely  vindictive,  still  vent 
ing  its  spite,  gnawing  at  the  rocks  and  the  work  of  man's 
erection  in  its  attempts  to  devour  the  land,  which  it  man 
ages  to  nibble  off,  bit  by  bit. 

And  to-night  was  there  not  in  Hilwe  another  Androm 
eda?  Where  was  the  Perseus  to  save  her? 

Then,  too,  thundered  in  his  ears,  to  him  that  unwonted, 
boundless,  untamable  sound,  the  trampling  of  the  sea 
upon  the  outer  reef,  —  those  myriad  voices,  the  noise 
of  many  waters.  It  was  the  proclamation  of  the  domin- 
ancy  of  the  great  deep.  Human  voices  were  still.  He 
was  alone  with  those  mighty  powers,  —  the  darkness 
and  the  sea.  He  was  alone  with  his  thoughts,  —  and 
even  they  were  treacherous. 

While  Hassan  had  hung  in  torture  upon  the  accursed 
tree,  overwhelmed,  degraded,  stripped  of  love,  friends 
and  all,  what  thoughts  filled  his  breast,  —  who  could 
tell?  who  could  know? 

How  can  a  man  preserve  his  integrity  under  such 
pressure? 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  397 

The  poor  overpowered  body  may  yield,  for  the  flesh 
is  weak  and  has  its  limits,  no  matter  how  willing  may 
be  the  spirit.  The  flesh  may  succumb,  the  body  may 
swoon  and  carry  the  mind  with  it,  —  was  it  not  so  with 
Savonarola,  Galileo,  and  many  another  great  one?  —  but 
there  is  something  which  remains  unsubdued,  untainted, 
unaffected. 

The  soul !     The  universal  soul ! 

And  the  mind  itself  can  prove  worthy  of  its  high 
estate,  of  its  kinship  with  God  and  the  angels,  and  so 
may  triumph  despite  the  subjugation  of  the  body. 

The  strait  he  was  in  was  sore,  desperate,  —  almost 
too  much  for  mortal  endurance.  Death  would  have 
been  a  blessed  relief. 

Those  who  had  placed  him  there,  exposed,  aloft,  stood 
around  and  laughed  and  derided.  They  pointed  at  and 
criticised  his  parts.  His  weakness  and  nakedness  and 
distress  were  a  scoffing  and  a  byword  with  them.  His 
very  self  seemed  to  turn  and  mock  him.  Surely  he  was 
humiliated  and  set  at  naught,  —  racked  with  pain  and 
misery  inexpressible. 

When  he  raised  his  great  eyes,  heavy  with  sorrow,  full 
of  the  languid  utterance  that  words  fail  to  convey,  their 
mute  appeal,  intensifying  their  beauty,  might  have  wrung 
pity  from  a  stone,  and  should  have  woke  the  heart  of 
ordinary  humanity  to  compassion,  if  not  to  love. 

Was  there  no  kindly  response?     None. 

How  cruel  can  man  be  to  man  !  Has  it  not  been  writ 
ten  with  a  finger  dipped  in  blood? 

Once,  being  in  great  agony,  he  prayed,  "  My  God,  my 
Father,  thou  knowest  my  tears  in  the  night,  when  I  was 
hidden  in  the  darkness,  and  there  was  no  eye  to  see  me 
but  thine.  My  heart  is  in  thine  hand,  to  crush  it  or  to 
restore.  I  have  naught  to  hide  from  thee :  if  I  would 
conceal  it,  I  could  not.  Amen.  Do  what  thou  wilt  with 
me.  Thy  will  be  done." 

His  strength  was  ebbing,  his  mind  wandering. 

All  the  perplexities  and  trials  he  ever  had  been  in 
volved  in  came  back  to  him  in  a  strange  panoramic 
vision.  He  saw  himself  an  innocent  little  boy,  play 
ing  with  pebbles  and  flowers,  wrongfully  blamed  and 


398  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

punished  ;  then  he  was  a  lad,  —  a  muleteer,  exposed  to 
hardships  and  privations  and  dangers ;  afterwards  came 
that  mixed  experience  at  school.  At  length  he  was  a 
young  man,  filled  with  the  pride,  the  passion  and  in 
stincts  of  his  sex,  almost  before  he  knew  it.  Hilwe 
came  upon  the  scene.  What  joy !  What  volume  of 
life !  What  love !  How  the  temptations,  perils,  and 
responsibilities  multiplied  !  How  many  hairbreadth  es 
capes  he  had  had !  What  conflicts  and  secret  dealings 
with  himself!  What  strife  with  others  !  He  recalled  his 
fight  with  the  leopard  and  the  onslaught  of  the  people  of 
Malha. 

How  real  in  feeling,  form,  and  colour  they  all  ap 
peared.  Many  of  them  were  grievous  and  hard  to  be 
borne  at  the  time,  —  yet  now  they  seemed  as  nothing. 
His  present  troubles  were  the  momentous  overwhelming 
weight. 

But  these,  too,  perhaps  would  pass.  All  things  had 
an  end.  Life  itself  was  but  a  transient  dream,  and,  like 
a  vision  of  the  night,  would  vanish  and  become  as  though 
it  had  not  been. 

This  he  tried  to  tell  himself.     But  his  thoughts  were 

blurred  and  incoherent.     His  sufferings  were  not  to  be 

ignored.      The  wrench  his  body  and  mind  had  received, 

—  were  receiving,  —  was  but  too  present  with  him  to  be 

eluded. 

Then  came  a  drowsy  aberrant  interrogation  of  him 
self: 

"  Dost  thou  fear  to  go  to  sleep?  " 

"No." 

"Then  why  shouldst  thou  fear  to  die?  It  is  no  more 
than  falling  asleep." 

It  was  as  if  some  one  else  spoke  the  words,  and  he  was 
an  unconcerned  listener. 

He  now  was  past  thinking.  And  still  he  hung  upon 
the  tree. 

Again  the  compelling  anguish  drove  him  to  the  utmost 
stress,  —  to  the  point  when  he  felt  his  life  must  depart. 
It  was  better  so.  The  world  reeled  before  him  and  went 
out  like  a  candle.  He  must  go  with  it.  All  was  dark. 
There  was  nothing  left  the  senses  to  grapple  with.  His 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  399 

heart  beat  slowly,  —  more  slowly  still.  Now  the  senses 
themselves  were  gone.  His  eyes  closed.  He  drew  a 
few  feeble  breaths  in  gasps.  He  knew  no  more. 

The  mystery  attaching  to  unconsciousness,  sleep,  death, 
is  one  of  the  impenetrable  things  with  which  we  have  to 
deal.  It  has  always  puzzled  the  few  who  have  thought 
about  it.  It  is  a  horror  to  the  many.  Not  one  of  the 
explanations  is  satisfactory.  It  has  ever  been  inex 
plicable,  and  bids  fair  to  remain  unsolved  for  man. 
God  wills  it  so.  It  is  best. 

The  suspended  animation  in  Hassan's  case  was  of  but 
short  duration.  The  passionate  force  of  the  man  was 
inveterate  in  him.  It  awoke  him.  It  came  to  the  rescue 
and  conquered.  But  how  sad  was  his  state.  Without 
immediate  succour  it  was  apparently  the  last  effort  of 
which  he  was  capable.  Weak  and  helpless,  and  torn 
with  agony,  he  hung  suspended,  when  that  faint  despair 
ing  cry  to  Allah  burst  from  his  parched  lips. 

"  Allah  !     God  !     Jehovah  !     Where  art  thou  ?  " 

But  even  then  the  angels  of  deliverance  were  near, 
and  came  in  the  shape  of  Hilwe  and  Kadra,  bringing 
him  sweet  if  only  temporary  comfort. 

His  condition  had  certainly  not  been  improved  by  his 
being  dragged  through  the  dusty  lanes  and  over  the 
heights  to  his  cell  in  Jaffa.  The  hakim  in  attendance 
had  placed  him  on  the  sick  list,  and  had  given  a  pre 
scription  ;  but  that  was  all  the  benefit  that  Hassan  de 
rived  from  it.  The  medicine  never  reached  him.  In 
the  confusion  it  was  forgotten.  Perhaps  it  was  as  well. 

In  the  early  dawn  of  the  following  day  he  thought  he 
heard  a  voice  —  some  one  wanting  him,  calling  him. 
He  awoke  from  such  fitful  slumber  as  he  was  able  to 
get  through  the  night,  and,  though  racked  with  pain  from 
head  to  foot,  arose  from  his  bed,  and,  looking  through 
the  loop-hole  which  served  as  a  window,  he  saw  with 
renewed  wonder  the  wide  expanse  of  the  Great  Sea. 

"  Taieeb  !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  It  is  long  since  I  have 
seen  thee." 

How  miraculously  blue  and  beautiful  it  was !  Liquid 
lapis  lazuli. 


400  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Under  the  shelter  of  the  rocky  reef  which  ran  all 
along  in  front,  lie  tossing  and  rolling  a  number  of  the 
smaller  shipping;  but  there  is  no  regular  harbour  or 
breakwater  —  not  any  more  than  when  King  Hiram,  of 
Tyre,  landed  here,  three  thousand  years  ago,  his  cedar 
for  Solomon's  Temple.  It  would  not  take  a  great 
stretch  of  the  imagination  to  see  the  Tyrian  sailors 
heaving  and  hauling,  through  those  narrow  channels,  the 
huge  cedar-beams  from  Mount  Lebanon.  Those  dark 
isolated  masses  of  rock  rising  at  intervals  out  of  the 
seething  waters,  in  long,  curving  line,  are  asserted  by 
tradition  to  be  the  remains  of  the  vertebrae  of  the  myth 
ical  monster  which  would  have  devoured  Andromeda, 
had  it  not  been  slain  by  Perseus.  It  is  classic  ground. 
Greek  myth  mingles  with  Bible  story,  both  of  them 
jostling  modern  history ;  and  there  are  those  who  be 
lieve  with  Pliny  that  Jaffa  was  in  existence  before  the 
Deluge,  and  witnessed  the  commencement  of  that  great 
spectacle  when  the  waters  of  the  flood  were  upon  the 
earth,  when  all  the  fountains  of  the  great  deep  were 
broken  up  and  the  windows  of  heaven  were  opened. 

Hassan  gazed  long  and  eagerly,  watching  the  large 
heavily-lumbering  barges  pass  to  and  fro  through  a  nar 
row  passage  in  the  rocks.  The  transports  lay  outside, 
in  deep  water,  far  from  shore.  A  lull  in  the  wind  had 
been  taken  advantage  of  to  resume  the  embarkation  of 
the  troops,  which  would  early  be  completed.  The  out 
going  boats  were  filled  with  soldiers ;  and  he  knew  his 
time  soon  would  come. 

"  I  must  live,  whether  I  am  happy  or  not,"  he  said 
with  a  sigh. 

He  hitherto  had  seen  little  of  his  keepers,  but  no\v 
they  brought  him  some  coarse  food,  which  he  ate 
greedily  and  with  a  relish,  as  he  was  famishing  from  his 
long  fast. 

The  food  put  new  strength  in  him.     He  felt  better. 

There  was  much  noise  and  commotion  in  the  vicinity 
of  his  cell.  The  officer  of  the  day,  in  making  his  rounds, 
was  pushing  matters,  annoyed  with  the  slow  movements, 
and  the  constant  urging  and  personal  attention  necessary 
to  get  anything  done  properly  and  with  dispatch. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  401 

Noticing  the  wretched  condition  of  Hassan's  uniform, 
he  called  attention  to  it  with  a  severe  censure. 

The  officer  thus  rebuked  was  nettled,  and  made  an 
unsatisfactory  reply. 

"  The  collar  is  better  than  the  dog,"  he  ended  with 
saying. 

"  Nay,"  said  his  superior,  "  rather  should  I  say,  the 
dog  is  worthy  of  a  better  collar.  His  clothes  do  not 
cover  his  nakedness.  It  is  indecent.  The  pasha  and 
kaimakam  will  be  present  to  see  us  embark.  Wouldst 
thou  shame  us,  and  at  such  a  time  as  this,  with  every 
eye  turned  upon  us?" 

"  It  is  his  own  fault,"  returned  the  younger  man.  "  He 
is  insubordinate.  He  has  broken  away  repeatedly,  and 
torn  his  outfit,  and  has  —  " 

"  I  care  not  to  discuss  the  matter,"  interrupted  the 
other.  "  See  at  once  that  he  is  provided  with  a  proper 
uniform." 

The  order  was  duly  conveyed. 

"  Bring  several,  from  which  to  choose,"  he  added. 

Knowing  too  well  the  aptitude  to  postpone,  prevari 
cate,  or  evade,  inherent  in  the  Oriental,  he  waited  till  the 
uniforms  were  brought,  from  which  one  was  selected  for 
Hassan.  Meanwhile,  attracted  by  the  young  giant's  re 
markable  appearance,  he  entered  into  conversation  with 
him.  There  was  an  unmistakable  glow  of  admiration  in 
his  glance  as,  drawing  near,  his  eye  measured  the  grand 
proportions,  the  well-built  limbs  and  muscles  of  this 
rare  specimen  of  manhood,  who  obediently  arose, 
saluted,  and  stood  before  him  in  his  miserable  rags. 

Probably  there  was  a  sense  of  pride  in  the  bin-bashi, 
or  major,  as  he  thought  and  felt  that,  to  a  certain  ex 
tent,  he  was  his  lord  and  master — that  the  man  who 
stood  before  him  was  in  his  power,  to  do  with  as  he 
willed.  But  there  was  also  a  stronger  and  a  better  feel 
ing —  the  bond  of  sympathy  and  kindred,  that,  without 
words  or  voice,  appeals  to  the  nature  and  tells  a  man : 
"  We  are  of  one  flesh.  I  am  thy  brother.  Are  not  thy 
members,  thy  feelings,  thy  thoughts  and  thy  passions 
the  same  as  mine?  Why  should  we  be  as  enemies  or 
strangers?  Should  we  not  be  friends  and  brethren?  " 

26 


4°2  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Though  the  bin-bashi  may  not  have  put  it  to  himself 
in  exactly  this  shape,  not  to  say  in  so  many  words,  the 
sensation  was  there  —  something  deeper  than  speech  or 
thought. 

He  was  an  easy-going  man,  of  some  education  and 
much  knowledge  of  the  world,  solidly  built,  and  with  a 
pleasant  face  and  genial  expression.  But,  though  fully 
up  to  the  standard  height,  and  well  set  off  by  his  re 
splendent  regimentals  and  military  bearing,  beside  Has 
san  he  seemed  comparatively  of  moderate  proportions. 

His  critical  eye  had  taken  in  the  subject  at  a  stroke. 

"  Whence  art  thou?  " 

He  questioned  Hassan  in  a  low  voice  and  in  a  friendly 
tone. 

"  From  Bettir,  O  Bin-Bashi !  " 

"  They  seem  to  know  how  to  build  men  of  a  goodly 
stature  there." 

"  Ay.  From  of  old,  Bin-Bashi,"  responded  Hassan, 
with  so  sober  and  earnest  an  air  it  brought  a  smile  to 
the  major's  lips. 

"If  only  thou  hadst  proper  dress,  and  carried  thy 
self  more  obediently,  thou  wouldst  be  a  pride  to  the 
regiment." 

It  was  the  first  kind  treatment  Hassan  had  received 
from  officers  or  men.  He  looked  down,  silent  and 
shamefaced,  at  the  rents  which  discovered  his  naked 
ness.  His  large  dark  eyes  then  turned  to  the  bin- 
bashi  so  wistfully,  seeking  his  consideration  —  his 
approval,  it  made  him  feel  it  should  be  difficult  to  be 
cruel  to  the  big  handsome  fellow.  Their  soft  pathetic 
appeal  —  that  unconsciously  languishing  glance,  largely 
the  result  of  his  suffering,  more  fascinating,  and  enthrall 
ing,  and  compelling  than  that  of  any  woman,  staggered 
the  will,  and  swayed  the  rather  susceptible  major  in  his 
favour,  despite  the  disparaging  remarks  which  the 
younger  officer  continued  to  make,  aside,  though  audi 
bly,  and  his  prejudiced  and  exaggerated  account  of 
Hassan's  escapades. 

"  I  could  take  him  to  my  heart,"  thought  the  major. 

"I  would  put  my  heel  on  his  neck,"  muttered  the 
lieutenant. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  403 

How  true  are  the  words,  which,  though  he  had  some 
what  of  their  spirit,  probably  the  bin-bashi  had  never 
heard : 

"  If  man  to  man  be  all  he  can, 
A  very  god  is  man  to  man." 

"There  are  times  when,  under  severe  stress  of  trouble, 
a  man  becomes  mystified  —  stupid,"  the  major  finally 
answered.  "  He  drives  headlong,  without  calculation  — 
without  rudder  —  without  compass.  One  idea  has  taken 
possession  of  him.  It  dominates  him.  He  cannot 
deliver  himself  from  it.  At  length  he  knows  not  what 
he  does." 

"  And  thinkest  thou  it  is  the  case  with  this  man?  " 
"  It  seems  to  me  so.     There  is  some  trouble  weighing 
on  the  man's  mind,  or  he  would  not  act  in  such  a  way  as 
thou  hast  said.    The  treatment  he  has  received  has  made 
him  worse.      These  fellaheen  have  more  in  them  than 
thou  thinkest.     Hast  thou  never  noticed  the  fine-mettled 
horse?     Whipping  sets  him  beside  himself.      This  man 
is  of  too  fine  a  mettle  to  be  chastised  as  he  has  been. 
Under  proper  treatment  he  will  make  a  good  soldier." 
"  Mayhap.     But  he  will  have  to  improve  his  ways." 
"  Is  he  married  ?    It  may  be  the  man  is  leaving  a  wife." 
"  Nay,    Bin-Bashi,"    was    the    answer.     "  He    is   not 
married." 

By  this  time  the  uniforms  had  been  brought;  and  one 
having  been  found,  not  without  some  difficulty,  to  fit 
Hassan,  he  divested  himself  of  his  rent  and  ragged  suit, 
and  transferred  his  lordly  bulk  to  the  more  agreeable 
habiliments.  The  major,  greatly  amused,  stood  by  the 
entire  time,  to  see  they  did  right  by  the  young  conscript, 
who  bore  the  trying  ordeal  with  admirable  dignity. 

He  was  immediately  ordered  out  to  join  the  company 
to  which  he  belonged  ;  and  they  were  marched,  without 
further  delay,  to  the  landing,  where  they  were  rapidly 
embarked. 

All  was  done  so  quickly,  and  they  were  kept  so  con 
stantly  occupied,  Hassan  had  scarcely  time  to  think  of 
his  personal  griefs. 


404  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

The  boatmen  who  conveyed  the  soldiers  to  the  trans 
ports  managed  their  heavy,  unwieldy-looking  barges  with 
consummate  skill.  They  were  noted  for  their  tact  and 
ability  in  contending  with  the  treacherous  Mediterranean ; 
and  some  of  them  were  said  to  have  their  peculiar  gifts 
by  inheritance,  and  to  be  the  descendants  of  the  ancient 
Phoenicians  who  ages  ago  had  plied  their  seafaring 
business  at  this  place  and  along  these  shores.  These 
water-dogs  were  true  sons  of  Neptune,  or  of  Dagon,  if 
you  will  have  it  so,  and  were  more  at  home  on  the  wave 
than  on  the  land.  There  were  no  boatmen  like  to  them. 
They  were  of  remarkable  strength,  and  full  of  the  manly 
nature  that  God  loves.  They  swam  like  fishes.  And 
many  a  shipwrecked  vessel  received  timely  aid  through 
their  noble,  unselfish,  and  courageous  ministry.  Human 
life  had  been  saved  by  them  repeatedly,  at  the  risk  of 
their  own  lives.  How  glorious  is  a  brave  man !  Any 
one  might  be  proud  to  call  them  brothers. 

They  stood  up  to  their  huge  oars,  and  strode  to  and 
fro  as  they  wielded  them.  They  reminded  one  of  the 
rowers  in  the  ancient  galleys  of  historic  Greece  and  Italy. 
It  was  nice  work,  shooting  through  the  narrow  opening 
in  the  rocks,  as  if  between  Scylla  and  Charybdis,  where 
the  oars  could  not  be  used,  and  with  the  heavy  swells 
from  outside  rushing  and  breaking,  and  the  spray  drench 
ing  everything. 

Inside,  many  feluccas,  with  their  long  yardarms  and 
lateen  sails,  are  still  rolling  and  pitching  in  their  poor 
shelter  off  the  shore  this  morning. 

What  a  fearful  wonder  it  was  to  Hassan  to  find  himself 
upon  the  palpitating  flood,  — lifted  high  heavenward  one 
moment,  plunged  downward  the  next,  carried  off  upon 
it  he  knew  not  whither  ! 

They  had  reached  the  transport  before  he  noticed  it. 
The  enormous  dimensions  of  it  were  appalling.  It  seemed 
to  have  suddenly  risen  out  of  the  deep  by  the  stroke  of 
the  magician's  wand  —  a  phantom  ship.  It  added  to  the 
mystery  and  his  perplexity.  It  was  already  moving, 
belching  out  its  black  breath,  and  triumphantly  snorting, 
eager  to  carry  him  away  to  a  land  he  knew  not  of. 

Horror  and  grief  were  contending  within  him.    Between 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  405 

the  lurches  of  the  boat,  he  half-climbed,  and  was  half- 
pushed,  up  the  hanging  steps  at  the  vessel's  side. 

He  was  on  board.  They  were  under  way.  All  was 
over.  His  silent  grief  was  suffocating  him.  But  he  gave 
no  sign. 


CHAPTER   XXXVI 

"  T  WENT  in  search  of  love,  and  lost  myself,"  saith 

_1      the  Eastern  proverb. 

The  women  had  been  kept  in  ignorance  of  the  sudden 
and  early  embarkation,  which  had  been  commenced 
quietly  the  day  before,  and  it  was  advanced  well  toward 
completion  before  they  discovered  the  state  of  things. 
Then  there  was  sound  of  weeping  and  wailing. 

There  may  be  a  love  passing  the  love  of  woman  —  we 
see  it  referred  to  in  Holy  Writ  —  but  when  it  comes  to 
patient,  daily  devotion,  who  shall  compare  with  her, 
the  woman  whom  God  has  given  to  be  with  us  ?  She  is 
the  angel  of  man's  deliverance  from  his  everyday  cares 
and  pains,  who,  loving  him,  sits  by  his  home-fire,  and 
protects  his  peace  and  comforts,  keeping  his  heart  fresh 
and  warm,  pure  and  joyous,  and  giving  him  courage  for 
the  conflicts  of  life.  No  matter  how  much  a  slave  he 
may  be  among  other  men  —  here  he  is  master. 

The  poor,  distraught  creatures,  —  these  simple  peasant 
women,  with  dishevelled  hair  and  raiment,  little  caring 
how  they  looked,  some  of  them  bearing  in  their  arms  the 
suckling  infant  or  astride  their  shoulders  the  children 
of  greater  age,  rushed  with  passionate  words  and  barbaric 
cries  across  the  intervening  space,  which  in  their  eager 
ness  they  would  gladly  have  annihilated ;  swarming 
impetuously  up  and  over  the  heights  of  Jaffa,  through 
the  crooked,  ill-paved  streets,  till,  fearful,  longing,  and 
despairing,  yet  hoping  in  their  despair,  they  reached  the 
entrance  to  the  landing-place,  where  the  embarkation 
was  proceeding  steadily,  remorselessly. 

They  came  with  fainting  heart  and  trembling  limbs, 
Hilwe  and  Kadra  among  them,  —  but  only  to  be  denied 


406  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

admittance.  The  gates  were  closed  in  their  faces.  For 
them  there  was  no  incoming.  They  were  shut  out  with 
their  misery. 

In  the  madness  of  their  disappointment,  they  and  the 
men  with  them  became  desperate. 

"  Let  us  break  the  gates  down,"  they  screamed.  "  Why 
should  they  keep  us  from  our  husbands  and  our  kith  and 
kin?  They  are  leaving  us.  Our  loved  ones  are  taken 
from  us.  We  shall  never  again  behold  them." 

There  was  a  wild,  incoherent  struggle. 

But  the  guard,  stationed  there  with  fixed  bayonets, 
kept  the  way.  It  was  useless  to  attempt  to  force  an 
entrance. 

One  of  the  women,  who  made  an  impetuous  onslaught, 
trying  to  reach  the  gateway,  was  accidentally  wounded 
by  a  bayonet. 

"  The  guard  will  fire  upon  us,"  some  one  shouted. 

Others  of  the  women  repeated  the  words. 

There  was  at  once  a  panic. 

They  fell  back,  in  complete  disorder,  trampling  each 
other.  Their  bitter  cries  stained  and  poisoned  the  air. 
Their  words  were  broken  with  their  weeping. 

"  Woe,  woe  be  to  the  day  on  which  all  this  misery  and 
sorrow  and  unspeakable  calamity  hath  befallen  us ! 
Where  is  our  help?  There  is  none  to  pity  us." 

"Yea,  there  is  none  to  pity  us,"  came  back  in  an  echo 
ing  chorus  or  refrain. 

They  beat  their  breasts  and  rent  their  garments,  tear 
ing  their  hair  as  they  cried  aloud. 

Then  one  suggested  a  move  that  was  eagerly  accepted  : 

"  Let  us  go  around,  and  on  by  the  beach." 

"  Ah  !  why  did  we  not  think  of  it?  " 

Suddenly  they  were  all  hurrying  in  that  direction,  as 
though  possessed  by  some  superhuman  agency. 

They  came  out  at  a  place  near  to  where,  tradition  says, 
the  great  fish  cast  forth  Jonah.  The  spot  where  the 
discontented  prophet  was  so  unceremoniously  landed  is 
immediately  north  of  Jaffa.  There  is  an  unoccupied 
sandy  space,  with  occasional  tufts  of  coarse  sea-grass,  and 
a  slightly  incurving  shore,  to  the  northward  of  which  is 
a  short,  blunt  point. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  407 

The  aspect  in  some  degree  is  desolate.  Yet  peculiar 
to  these  barrens,  one  of  Nature's  compensations,  a  deli 
cate,  creamy-white  lily,  eucharis-like,  is  found  in  its 
season,  toward  the  close  of  the  flower-year,  beautifying 
the  place.  There  are  other  flowers  there,  —  flowers  that 
men  call  weeds ;  but  those  lilies  !  —  how  they  grow  ! 
How  virginal  they  are  !  Ah !  How  shall  such  as  I  tell? 
They  are  beautiful  enough  for  the  dear  Christ,  the 
anointed,  to  have  been  born  among  them,  —  born 
among  the  lilies,  as  some  say  he  was.  But  no,  he  was 
born  in  a  herdsman's  cave,  among  the  cattle  of  the  field. 
He,  the  Good  Shepherd,  began  his  shepherd's  work 
early.  He  was  born  at  Bethlehem,  —  the  House  of 
Bread.  And  is  he  not  the  Bread  of  Life  which  came 
down  from  heaven,  of  which  if  a  man  eat  he  shall 
live  forever? 

As  the  wind  blew  over  the  lilies  they  seemed  to  whis 
per  this.  It  was  a  holy  mystery. 

But  that  anxious  band  of  men  and  women  regarded 
none  of  these  things.  How  should  they,  —  the  troubled 
souls?  They  crossed  with  hurrying  feet  the  low  wind- 
tossed  dunes  of  yellow  sand,  and,  reaching  the  shelving 
beach,  ran  along  it  to  where  it  fronted  the  upper  end  of 
the  town  and  grew  narrow,  scant,  and  at  last  was  want 
ing  altogether;  the  lofty  wall  of  rock,  crowned  with  flat- 
roofed  houses,  gradually  sweeping  out  into  the  sea,  and 
ultimately  cutting  off  further  advance.  They  could  not 
reach  the  landing-place  with  its  great  stone  steps,  lashed 
by  the  wave,  and  green  and  slippery  with  confervoid 
growths ;  they  could  not  even  see  it,  though  so  near. 

Yet  they  were  near,  —  as  near  as  they  could  get.  That 
was  something.  Also  they  could  see  the  barges,  loaded 
with  soldiers,  shortly  after  leaving  the  landing. 

One  of  the  boats  had  already  passed  through  the  nar 
row  opening  in  the  reef.  Soon  another  came  in  view 
from  behind  the  rocky  scarp.  The  word  was  passed 
that  this  was  the  last  load.  One  of  the  transports  was 
already  under  way.  It  was  that  on  which  Hassan  had 
been  placed,  though  Hilwe  did  not  know  it.  The  other 
transport  was  preparing  to  weigh  anchor  on  the  arrival 
of  the  approaching  boats. 


408  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Yea,  it  is  the  last  boat,"  the  shifting  group  of  peas 
ants  moaned,  in  despairing  confirmation  of  the  fact. 

As  the  barge,  loaded  down  almost  to  the  gunwales,  shot 
forward,  there  arose  from  the  women,  who  had  flung 
themselves  upon  the  ground,  a  great  and  exceeding  bit 
ter  cry,  —  lamentation,  and  weeping,  and  mourning  that 
would  not  be  comforted. 

"  They  are  bound  for  Crete,"  remarked  one  of  the  men. 

"  It  seems  so.  They  head  that  way,"  returned  an 
other. 

"There  is  an  insurrection  there;  and,  mark  you,  not 
many  of  these  Syrians  will  come  back.  They  will  put 
them  in  the  battle  front." 

The  women  took  up  the  cry.  It  was  the  old  story,  — 
old  when  the  bloody  David  ordered  the  noble  Hittite, 
Uriah,  "  set  in  the  forefront  of  the  hottest  battle  "  that 
he  might  be  slain.  Was  it  ever  to  be  trieir  fate? 

"  They  will  not  return.  They  will  be  slain,"  was  their 
repeated  lament. 

To  them,  besides,  Crete  was  a  terra  incognita,  —  a 
place  of  mysterious  dread,  thus  adding  to  their  horror. 

Those  poor  dejected  disconsolate  ones  found,  in  the 
very  simplicity  as  well  as  the  gravity  of  their  affliction, 
their  incapacity  to  deal  with  it.  It  presented  no  oppor 
tunity  of  attack.  It  was  one  great  inert  mass  of  incom 
prehensible  wretchedness  which  it  was  out  of  their  power 
to  handle  or  contend  with.  They  flung  themselves  upon 
the  ground  and  cast  dust  upon  their  heads.  The  joy  had 
gone  out  of  their  lives. 

Yet  the  shadow  on  the  awful  dial  of  time  moved  for 
ward,  unheeding.  All  things  went  their  accustomed  way 
as  though  nothing  especial  had  happened.  How  hard  it 
is  for  those  bowed  with  sorrow  to  find  that  Nature  has  no 
sympathy  with  them ! 

The  sea  lay  dimpling  and  sparkling  off  Jaffa  as  its  an 
cient  gray  and  white  houses,  with  an  occasional  dome 
and  minaret,  enshrined  amid  orange  and  lemon  groves 
and  stately  palms,  lifted  themselves  high  above  it  in  the 
calm,  dignified  beauty  of  repose  so  peculiarly  Oriental. 
The  sunlight  flashed  with  unequalled  power  and  splen 
dour  as  if  it  tried  to  pierce  into  every  place,  into  every 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


409 


nook  and  corner,  —  such  blinding  sunlight  as  is  unknown 
in  western  lands,  making  one  think  of  the  burnished  blaze 
of  glory  that  we  are  told  illumines  the  streets  of  the 
heavenly  city,  proceeding  out  of  the  great  white  throne. 

A  squadron  of  war  vessels,  lying  off  the  town,  lifted 
their  black  hulls  out  of  the  celestial  blue  of  the  waters. 
How  ominously  their  grim  visages  loomed  in  profile 
against  the  horizon !  They  were  broadside  to  Jaffa. 
What  embodiments  of  power !  They  could  easily  blow 
the  whole  place  to  pieces  in  a  few  minutes.  But  now  the 
great  bulldogs  lay  silent  and  quiet  enough,  their  hoarse 
voices  unheard  all  day  except  when  they  saluted  the  ad 
miral  in  his  going  and  coming.  They  were  the  visible 
presence  of  England,  for  they  belonged  to  her  navy. 

But  were  they  of  help  to  interfere  to  protect  these  poor 
peasants  of  Palestine,  now  dragged  and  driven  by  a  power 
they  hated  but  must  obey? 

Oh,  no  !  Why  should  it  be  expected?  It  was  all  the 
other  way.  Ostensibly  they  were  friendly  to  the  Otto 
man  power.  It  is  the  peculiar  compelling  shape  of 
things  which  brings  this  to  pass.  For  they  love  not  the 
Turk ;  and  the  Turk,  knowing  this  well,  and  openly  say 
ing  that  the  pretended  friendship  is  all  for  a  selfish  pur 
pose,  loves  not  them. 

Few,  indeed,  love  England,  excepting  her  own  sons. 
But  is  not  their  loyalty,  their  love  and  devotion  sufficient 
return  for  the  most  exacting  of  mothers? 

The  grand  old  lioness  looks  out  of  her  island  den  with 
whetted  talons  and  bloody  fangs,  mighty  from  many  a 
conflict,  and  a  proud  light  gathers  in  her  unblinking 
eyes,  and  the  joy  of  strength  fills  her  dauntless  heart, 
where  perhaps  sometimes  the  pitiless  thought  comes, 
"  Shall  I  not  have  my  hest?  "  And  again,  "They  hate, 
because  they  envy,"  or  "What  care  I  for  the  hate  of 
others  while  I  have  sons  such  as  these  to  love  me  and 
defend  me?  God  and  my  right.  Evil  be  to  him  who 
evil  thinks." 

Those  sable  floating  batteries,  thrust  in  imperial  evi 
dence  against  the  serene  sky,  with  their  sultry  meteor 
flags,  —  blood-red,  with  dark-blue  unions  bearing  the 
sacred  sign  of  the  triple  crosses,  which  have  gone  into 


4io  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

every  sea,  carrying  civilisation  before  them,  they  are, 
indeed,  the  symbol,  the  manifestation  of  the  pride, 
strength,  honour,  and  justice  of  the  greatest  power  upon 
earth,  the  Mother  of  Empires,  whose  protection  of  the 
weak  and  helpless  is  her  glory  and  boast.  How  those 
sombre  stately  masses  of  potential  wrath  could  flame 
out,  at  the  word,  loud-mouthed  with  defiant  protest. 

But  what  could  be  said  or  done,  felt  or  known  in  such 
a  case  as  this?  What  pretence  was  there  for  appeal  to 
arms  or  for  diplomatic  or  any  other  interference? 

Because  a  poor  peasant  of  Palestine  is  violently 
wrenched  by  his  lord  and  master,  the  Sultan  of  Turkey, 
out  of  his  quiet,  simple  Judaean  life,  that  he  might  ren 
der  to  the  State  the  military  service  which  he  owes  it, 
must  the  heavens  fall?  must  the  dogs  of  war  be  loosed? 
and  must  the  peace  of  Europe  be  menaced? 

Alas,  what  was  of  such  cruel  and  fearful  import  to 
poor  Hassan,  —  the  rending  and  breaking  up  of  his  life- 
prospects,  —  perhaps  the  ruin  or  the  death  of  Hilwe,  — 
was  scarcely  of  more  moment  to  the  great  world  than 
the  ripple-mark  left  by  the  wave  upon  the  beach,  or  the 
fall  of  a  leaf  into  an  autumn  brook,  ruddy  as  claret  with 
its  crimson  trophies  of  the  forest ! 

How  rapidly  the  transports  disappeared !  They  be 
came  as  specks  on  the  horizon.  Then  nothing  was  seen 
of  them  but  a  hazy  patch  of  smoke,  like  purplish  vapour, 
as  if  they  and  all  upon  them  had  been  dissolved  in  the 
opaline  atmosphere  and  finally  had  evaporated  and  been 
utterly  disseminated  throughout  the  universe. 

The  women  gradually  left  in  groups  of  twos  and 
threes.  Only  Hilwe  and  Kadra  remained,  —  they  knew 
not  why.  In  vain  had  Kadra  sought  to  comfort  Hilwe 
and  lead  her  away. 

"  Take  it  not  so  much  to  heart,  Hilwe,"  the  elderly 
woman  had  said.  "  Wherever  there  is  a  rose,  there  is  a 
thorn.  Every  sunbeam  casts  a  shadow.  Wilt  thou  kill 
thyself  ?  Hassan  will  come  again." 

"  How  can  he  come?"  said  Hilwe. 

"  Even  in  like  manner  as  he  went  will  he  return.  Will 
not  the  ships  bring  him?  Why  shouldst  thou  break  thy 
heart?" 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  411 

Hilwe  answered  not.  She  only  shook  her  head  and 
kept  gazing  in  the  direction  which  the  transports  had 
taken,  a  hopeless  vacancy  draining  the  light  from  her 
eyes. 

"  Alas,  I  perceive  my  words  avail  not  to  give  thee 
solace  !  "  said  Kadra.  "  I  have  no  power  to  help  thee. 
What  I  say  to  thee  is  as  naught.  It  is  like  one  pome 
granate  and  a  hundred  sick." 

She  withdrew  a  space,  and  seated  herself  beneath  a 
weather-beaten  bush,  on  a  sandbank. 

"  It  is  best  to  leave  her  alone  awhile,"  she  said.  "  I 
see  it  torments  her  to  be  spoken  to.  There  is  not  a  tear 
in  her  eye.  Her  heart  is  turning  to  stone.  Allah  pity 
her  and  me.  Mayhap  she  will  weep  and  recover  herself 
if  left  alone.  It  is  but  one  heavy  heart  trying  to  lighten 
another." 

Hilwe  walked  listlessly  along  the  beach,  to  the  farthest 
point  where  the  high  scarp  of  rock  jutted  out,  cutting 
off  advance.  Facing  the  hard  black  insurmountable 
obstruction,  mechanically  she  looked  upward.  The 
massive  stone  houses  of  ancient  build  were  a  prolon 
gation  of  the  cliff  or  precipice,  carrying  it  skyward,  in 
one  sweep,  at  the  sea  front  —  upon  its  very  verge.  She 
happened  to  stand  beneath  the  building,  her  eyes 
resting  upon  it,  where  Hassan  had  been  confined  the 
night  before,  though  she  knew  it  not. 

Early  that  morning,  while  yet  the  darkness  contended 
with  the  grey  dawn  —  long  before  the  rising  of  the  sun 
from  behind  the  mist-shrouded  Judaean  hills  —  she  had 
arisen  and  stolen  down,  all  alone ;  and,  as  she  wandered 
with  the  wild  passionate  hope  of  seeing  Hassan,  some 
occult  influence  had  guided  her  feet  to  this  selfsame 
spot ;  and,  as  now,  she  had  lifted  her  eyes  to  the  same 
building  with  a  vague  incomprehensible  desire,  undefined 
and  nameless,  seemingly  more  allied  to  the  unreasoning 
instinct  of  the  animal,  than  to  the  promptings  of  the 
educated  soul. 

"  If  only  I  could  see  him,"  she  kept  saying. 

Hassan  had  heard  her  voice,  and  started  from  his  sleep. 
He  was  within  that  storm-scourged  eyrie  then,  though 
no  cognizance  of  the  complete  fact  had  reached  her 


412  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

jarred  and  troubled  mind.  Even  when  he  looked 
through  the  narrow  loophole  of  his  cell,  neither  of  them 
could  see  the  other.  Yet  some  fragmentary  inchoate 
suggestion  of  his  presence  affected  and  moved  her.  It 
had  detained  her  there  till  she  saw  the  preparations  for 
the  resuming  of  the  embarkation ;  and  it  was  she  who 
had  been  the  means  of  conveying  the  information  to  the 
other  women  and  the  rest  of  the  party. 

Again,  when  they  had  failed  to  gain  admittance  to  the 
landing,  it  was  Hilwe  who  had  proposed  to  go  around, 
and  on  by  the  beach  —  the  only  opportunity  left  them  of 
obtaining  a  last  look  of  their  departing  loved  ones. 

Now  her  mind  seemed  to  have  become  dulled  and 
numbed  from  all  she  had  suffered.  Though  she  saw 
surrounding  objects,  it  was  without  appreciation  of  the 
fact ;  as  when  the  eye  scans  an  entire  page  of  a  book, 
and  the  preoccupied  intelligence  takes  no  note  of  the 
subject  treated  of. 

The  long  olive-brown  streamers  of  the  frilled  and 
fluted  sea-tangles,  twined  and  massed  with  green  and 
crimson  ribbons,  and  feathery  fringes  of  maroon,  puce 
and  erubescent  algae,  and  silvery  coral-like  fronds  —  the 
flowers  of  the  deep  —  lay  heaped  in  windrows  at  her  feet : 
she  saw,  and  yet  she  saw  them  not.  Nor  did  she  notice 
the  murex,  whose  pallid  shell  for  ages  held  the  sump 
tuous  secret  of  the  Tyrian  purple  —  the  voluptuous  dye 
that  flamed  and  revelled  with  unholy  pomp  in  the  im 
perial  robe,  to  gorge  the  aesthetic  lust  of  emperors  and 
kings.  And  yet,  had  she  but  noticed,  she  might  have 
seen  that  strange  ensanguined  lachrymation  peculiar  to 
it,  and  thought  that  the  little  creature  within  that  pearly 
tenement  wept  in  sympathy  with  her,  shedding  as  it 
were,  telltale  tears  of  blood,  like  to  the  sacred  ichor  - 
that  ethereal  fluid  which,  they  inform  us,  flowed  in  the 
veins  of  the  gods. 

Thus  Hilwe  stood,  lingering  on  the  sands  under  the 
rocky  cliffs  of  the  stolid  macrobiotic  town.  Her  eyes 
were  now  turned  from  its  mouldering  walls,  and  were 
fixed  on  the  spot  where  the  last  trace  of  the  smoke  of 
the  transports  had  left  its  fast-vanishing  blur  upon  the 
sky. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  41 3 

Yes,  the  last  vestige  of  men  and  ships  had  now  dis 
appeared.  There  was  nothing  left  to  mark  the  place 
where  they  had  gone  out,  and  down  —  sunk  out  of  sight. 
Even  the  faint  fugacious  tinct  upon  the  heavens  had 
died  away.  They  were  not.  So  it  appeared  to  Hilwe. 

A  convulsive  sob  shook  her  breast  and  broke  on  her 
lips. 

"O  my  Hassan,"  she  cried,  "  thou  art  lost  to  me! 
Shall  I  never  again  behold  thee?  " 

Over  the  waters  came,  clear  and  penetrating,  as  if  in 
response,  the  melancholy  cry  of  the  seafowl,  so  un 
earthly,  so  far-reaching.  It  was  startling  to  her  to  whom 
it  was  unfamiliar.  Out  of  a  large  flock  of  grey  and  white 
gulls  disporting  themselves  in  the  vicinity  of  the  reef, 
alighting  on  the  swell,  plunging  into  the  crest  of  the  surf, 
one  had  separated  himself  from  his  fellows,  and,  with 
easy  sweep  of  dauntless  resolute  wing,  swiftly  approached 
the  spot  where  Hilwe  stood,  till  he  hung  poised  above 
her  head.  That  note  of  shrill  alarm,  that  challenge 
heroic,  yet  heartrending  as  a  coranach,  who  that  has 
ever  heard  it  does  not  recall  how  it  made  the  soul  thrill 
and  vibrate?  It  is  one  of  the  weirdest  sounds  in  nature 
—  the  sadder  for  coming  out  of  so  fearless  a  breast. 
Does  the  spirit  of  some  dead  corsair  inhabit  the  bird? 

At  the  same  instant,  that  dominant  seventh-born 
master-wave,  lording  it  over  his  fellows,  leaping  every 
barrier,  came  foaming  in,  from  the  deeps  outside,  rushing 
and  roaring  in  his  virile  impetuosity,  and,  running  up 
to  her,  kissed  her  naked  feet. 

In  her  overwrought  state,  these  things  were  as  answers 
to  her,  —  messages  from  the  departed.  The  tears,  at 
last,  rolled  down  her  cheeks.  She  wrapped  her  head  in 
her  garment,  and  utterly  gave  way  to  her  grief. 

Kadra's  arms  were  around  her. 

"  It  is  all  over,  Hilwe.     Come  with  me." 

"  O  Kadra,  he  is  gone !  They  have  taken  him  across 
the  Great  Sea,  I  know  not  whither.  What  will  become 
of  him?  And  what  will  become  of  me  without  him?" 

"  Have  courage,  Hilwe;  thou  art  not  altogether  alone. 
Am  I  not  with  thee?  Do  I  not  remember  the  last  words 
Hassan  spake  to  me?  Did  he  not  say  to  me,  — 'Save 


414  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

her,  Kadra.'     And  I  will  save  thee  with  the  help  of 
Allah." 

"  Ah,  how  good  and  brave  he  was,  Kadra !  Even  in 
his  extremity  he  thought  not  of  himself,  but  of  others." 

"Do  I  not  know  it?" 

The  tears  were  coursing  each  other  fast  down  the 
tanned  weather-beaten  visage  of  Kadra  as  she  leant 
aside  and  murmured  to  herself  something  which  was 
inarticulate  to  Hilwe. 

"  Allah  bless  thee,  Kadra ;  thou  art  kind  to  me  past 
all  kindness ;  and  may  the  All-Merciful  reward  thee  as 
I  cannot." 

"Why  should  I  not  remember  Hassan's  last  words?" 
said  Kadra.  "  Shall  I  not  do  as  he  said?"  Then  she 
added,  aside,  "  Ah,  she  little  knows  how  I  love 
him  !  " 

The  salty  breeze  from  off  that  immaculate  ultramarine 
and  viridescent  water  blew  the  loose  dampened  wisps 
of  her  dark  hair  in  her  eyes,  partially  veiling  the  grim, 
gaunt  face  that,  at  times,  was  apt  to  look  rather  repulsive. 
She  did  not  brush  the  Medusa-like  locks  aside.  They  hid 
her  tears.  That  high-arched  nose,  of  aquiline  contour, 
which  gave  her  an  aristocratic  mien,  those  piercing  black 
eyes  that  were  capable  of  striking  fear  of  the  "  evil 
influence  "  into  the  hearts  of  her  enemies,  and  the  thin- 
lipped  sarcastic  mouth  of  sardonic  curve  — the  lips  like 
twin  snakes  —  what  holy  change  had  come  upon  them? 
The  sweet,  motherly  expression  in  her  face  made  her 
almost  beautiful,  as,  clasping  Hilwe  to  her  breast,  she 
murmured,  in  tones  like  the  cooing  of  the  dove,  consoling 
little  words  and  gentle  assurances  such  as  the  Arabic 
tongue  and  the  native  thought  abound  with : 

"  Little  lamb,  we  have  wandered  far  from  the  fold. 
We  are  as  lost  sheep.  We  have  strayed  many  days  from 
our  pasture.  Let  us  return." 

She  led  Hilwe  across  the  billowy  sands,  through  the 
lilies  which  no  man  had  planted  or  cared  for  —  which 
were  the  planting  of  the  Lord.  And  as  she  went  she 
sighed  and  said : 

"  I  have  seen  enough  of  Jaffa  and  its  orange-groves 
and  palms,  its  pomegranates  and  melons,  and  the  Great 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  415 

Sea  in  its  garment  of  sapphire.  Give  me  the  hill-country 
—  give  me  Malha.  It  is  my  home.  I  want  no  other." 

At  the  mention  of  the  hill-country  and  Malha  a  great 
fear  filled  Hilwe's  heart. 

"  How  shall  I  show  my  face  there?"  was  what  she  said 
secretly. 

She  trembled  at  the  thought. 

That  day  the  sun  went  down  off  Jaffa  like  a  chariot  of 
fire  —  with  horses  and  horsemen  of  flame.  He  sank  in 
the  sea,  just  at  the  spot  where  the  transports  had  disap 
peared.  The  glory  of  the  Lord  shone  round  about ;  and 
the  sea,  and  the  land,  and  the  heavens  above  were  exult 
ant  because  of  it. 

But  the  poor  peasant  women  returned  to  the  hill- 
country  of  Judaea  whence  they  came,  sorrowful,  weep 
ing,  broken,  their  lives  darkened,  and  their  hearts 
heavy  with  their  trouble. 


CHAPTER   XXXVII 

LONG  had  the  time  elapsed  which  had  been  men 
tioned  in  the  agreement  between  Abd-el-nour  and 
Ismail,  Hilwe's  uncle.  Month  after  month  had  passed 
away  since  the  doura  and  all  the  other  crops  enumerated 
in  the  marriage  contract  had  been  gathered  in,  and 
Abd-el-nour,  the  formerly  expectant  and  eager  bride 
groom-elect,  remained  silent,  dark,  and  glum,  —  though 
surely  he  had  saved  more  than  the  portion  he  had  prom 
ised  for  Hilwe. 

True,  this  was  but  the  latter  phase  of  the  affair.  Until 
lately  he  had  been  exacting  and  importunate  in  the 
matter;  and,  in  urging  his  suit,  had  caused  Hilwe  no 
little  trouble,  dread,  and  annoyance,  through  her  uncle 
and  Fatima. 

Kadra  had  spoken  her  mind  freely  on  the  subject: 

"  It  is  better  for  a  young  woman  to  have  an  arrow  in 
her  heart  than  the  man  she  hates  by  her  side,"  she  said. 

But  her  words  were  unheeded. 


416  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Hassan  and  Chain's  appearance  upon  the  scene  in 
Malha  had  at  the  time  only  strengthened  Abd-el-nour's 
case ;  though,  doubtless,  certain  suspicions  were  aroused 
which  were  not  easily  laid.  But  the  episode  of  the  great 
storm  and  flood,  and  the  detention  of  Hilwc  in  the  cavern 
with  Hassan  had  given  rise  to  unpleasant  doubts  which 
rankled  in  Abd-el-nour's  breast,  and  not  without  reason. 

It  had  been  her  uncle's  policy  to  make  light  of  it,  lest, 
otherwise,  Abd-el-nour  might  raise  objections  and  cast 
her  off. 

"  It  is  an  unfortunate  accident  which  might  befall  any 
one,"  he  said. 

"  Yea  —  perhaps,"  the  other  had  replied,  in  a  non 
committal  spirit. 

The  additional  amount  promised  by  Abd-el-nour  had 
increased  the  uncle's  cupidity,  and  intensified  his  anger 
at  any  danger  of  disappointment.  But  his  prudence  kept 
his  wrath  within  bounds. 

So  the  months  passed  by.  The  harvest  was  over,  the 
summer  was  ended,  the  autumn  gone,  and  the  winter 
was  far  advanced. 

"  He  claims  her  not,"  quoth  the  uncle,  anxiously. 
"  He  is  deceitful." 

Various  pointed  hints  dropped  by  Ismail  had  failed  to 
be  noticed  by  Abd-el-nour.  Provoked  at  his  studied 
indifference,  Ismail  openly  broached  the  matter,  calling 
attention  to  the  original  contract  and  the  sum  in  excess 
promised,  in  the  excitement  of  the  moment,  at  the  time 
of  Hassan's  visit  to  Malha. 

Abd-el-nour  was  equal  to  the  emergency,  and  replied 
in  language  more  pronounced  than  delicate,  considering 
the  subject. 

"  A  bitter  answer  will  only  stir  up  strife,"  thought 
Hilwe's  uncle,  and,  after  some  mollifying  expression, 
added,  "  Surely  thou  wilt  keep  thy  promise." 

"Where  is  her  lover  from  Bettir?  Hath  he  deserted 
her?" 

The  words  were  spoken  by  Abd-el-nour  with  a  sinister 
accent  that  was  unmistakable. 

Further  pressure  applied  by  Ismail  only  drew  more 
splenetic  and  offensive  retorts. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  417 

"  The  lion  does  not  eat  the  dog's  leavings,"  was  the 
final  and  cutting  response  of  Abd-el-nour. 

"  Lion,  indeed  !  No  lion,  but  a  mangy  and  cowardly 
dog  art  thou !  "  was  the  instantaneous,  unforgivable 
reply  of  Ismail,  now  furious  at  the  insults  heaped  upon 
him. 

The  older  man,  wrapped  in  his  miserliness,  feeling  he 
had  the  better  of  the  argument,  turned  with  a  sneering 
laugh,  and  went  upon  his  way. 

"  I  have  my  money  in  my  purse,  and  not  paid  out  for 
a  wanton,"  he  muttered. 

That  laugh  and  the  contemptuous  looks  and  words 
were  maddening  to  the  disappointed  and  humbled  Ismail. 

"  Every  dog  that  barks  in  his  own  village  street  thinks 
himself  a  roaring  lion." 

Unable  longer  to  control  himself  he  hurled  the  exas 
perating  sentence  at  the  retreating  Abd-el-nour,  who, 
evidently  fearing  that  the  angry  words  would  be  followed 
by  blows,  was  hastening  off  as  fast  as  his  shuffling  gait 
would  permit. 

As  soon  as  he  reached  his  own  door  he  paused,  and, 
facing  about  in  the  direction  of  Ismail,  made  a  peculiar 
movement  with  his  fingers  and  hand  to  avert  the  evil 
influence  which  the  latter  might  be  supposed  to  exert 
against  him. 

The  wily  Malhaite  was  steeped  in  superstition,  and 
was  a  slave  to  the  traditional  beliefs  and  customs  which, 
to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  have  taken  the  place  of  reli 
gion  with  the  more  ignorant  of  the  fellaheen.  On  the 
wall  of  his  house,  near  the  doorway  in  which  he  stood, 
might  be  seen,  conspicuously  displayed,  the  impress  of 
an  upright  open  hand,  considered  an  effectual  charm  to 
ward  off  the  baleful  sorcery  of  the  "  evil  eye."  Stand 
ing  beside  this  potent  spell,  and  within  his  own  door,  his 
courage  revived  sufficiently  to  permit  him  to  gratify  his 
hateful  temper  in  a  further  volley  of  abuse. 

"  Verily,  I  believe  he  thought  to  obtain  my  money  for 
that  which  he  is  unable  to  deliver,"  he  exclaimed.  "  Go 
to!  How  know  I  what  he  giveth  me?  But  I  am  not 
such  an  oaf  as  he  supposes.  He  counts  the  sands  ot  the 
desert  on  the  rosary  of  his  fingers." 

27 


4i 8  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Ismail  was  beside  himself  with  rage.  Yet  what  could 
he  do?  How  could  he  help  himself? 

"  What  is  the  use  of  arguing  with  a  liar,  or  with  him 
who  breaketh  his  covenant?  "  he  said,  as  he  turned  away. 
"  It  is  but  waste  of  breath.  The  voice  of  the  crow  and 
the  kite  and  the  song  of  the  nightingale  are  all  alike  to 
such  as  he  is." 

It  may  well  be  supposed  that,  under  these  circum 
stances,  Hilvve's  life  in  her  home,  hitherto  sufficiently 
dreary,  now  became  almost  unbearable.  She  seldom 
had  peace.  Her  uncle  looked  upon  her  as  the  cause  of 
his  losing  the  handsome  marriage  portion  promised  by 
Abd-el-nour.  It  was  not  to  be  forgotten  or  forgiven. 
She  had  been  the  cause  of  the  breaking  of  the  contract 
made  with  Abd-el-nour,  which,  whether  written  or  verbal, 
among  these  simple  people  as  with  most  Moslems,  is  all 
the  ceremony  required  to  constitute  a  marriage.  Worse 
than  this,  she  would  be  a  shame  and  a  reproach  to  her 
family  and  to  her  people  —  a  disgrace  and  a  dishonour 
ing  not  to  be  contemplated. 

Hilwe's  only  relief  was,  when  opportunity  was  afforded 
her,  to  escape  to  the  outdoor  life  and  labour,  in  company 
with  Kadra :  the  hard  work  was  to  her  a  blessing. 

The  usual  long  dry  season  of  six  months,  in  which  not 
a  drop  of  rain  falls  in  Palestine,  had  been  succeeded, 
toward  the  close  of  autumn,  by  what,  to  this  day,  are 
called,  from  olden  time,  the  "  former  rains,"  which  fell 
in  sufficient  abundance  to  permit  early  ploughing. 

The  consequent  general  activity  was  a  temporary  res 
pite  for  the  unfortunate  young  woman,  though  at  no 
time  was  she  entirely  exempt  from  the  cruel  strain  her 
peculiar  condition  and  circumstances  brought  upon  her. 

Yet  a  few  bright  days  were  vouchsafed  to  her,  when 
the  natural  cheerfulness  of  her  disposition  partially  tri 
umphed  over  her  heaviness  and  trouble. 

When  she  joined  the  women  in  gathering  in  the  last 
of  the  olives,  beating  the  boughs  and  collecting  the  fruit, 
which  they  called  "  milking  the  trees,"  somewhat  of  her 
former  spirit  revived  in  her,  and,  stimulated  by  memo 
ries  of  other  years,  and  under  Kadra's  inspiration,  the 
feelings  and  customs  of  olden  time  were  entered  into 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


419 


and  indulged  in  by  most  of  the  wives  and  daughters  of 
Malha,  glad  for  the  occasion  to  break  away  from  their 
gloom.  They  sang  their  simple  songs,  and  repeated  the 
ancient  sayings  and  proverbs ;  and  they  told  of  former 
doings,  and  unexampled  incidents,  passing  belief,  as  they 
entered  into  their  labours. 

Many  of  the  sayings  had  pretty,  double  meanings,  and 
were  like  parables  relating  to  the  trees. 

"  Till  thou  shakest  the  tree  the  olives  will  not  fall," 
one  would  chant. 

"  Though  the  oak  be  strong,  he  gives  us  but  acorns," 
rang  out  the  recitative. 

"  The  trees  that  bear  fruit  bear  a  burden  as  well,"  an 
other  would  reply. 

"  The  cypress  from  its  uprightness  was  made  free ;  it 
is  always  green,"  Kadra  sang  with  a  triumphant  air,  for 
her  own  name  was  in  it,  Kadra  meaning  "  green." 

As  they  stripped  the  olives  from  the  limbs,  Kadra 
reminded  them  of  the  old  habit,  not  to  glean  them  the 
second  time : 

"  When  thou  beatest  thine  olive  tree,  thou  shalt  not 
go  over  the  boughs  again :  Spare  the  fruit  on  the  top 
most  limbs ;  it  shall  be  for  the  stranger,  for  the  father 
less,  and  for  the  widow.  Spare  it,  lest  the  tree  bear  not 
again." 

The  words  had  been  made  into  a  rude  chant,  like  a 
psalm.  None  of  them  could  tell  how  old  it  was.  And 
they  invariably  left,  at  least,  a  few  olives  among  the  top 
most  branches. 

"  It  is  according  to  the  custom  of  our  forefathers," 
they  said.  "  It  is  best  to  adhere  to  it." 

In  due  time  followed  the  making  of  the  oil,  an  impor 
tant  work,  in  which  the  women  largely  participated,  the 
olives  being  crushed  and  ground  in  the  old-fashioned 
stone  oil-presses  of  the  country,  used  from  time  imme 
morial.  In  all  the  processes,  to  the  running  off  the  oil 
into  the  roughly-hewn  stone  trough,  and  thence  empty 
ing  it  into  jars  or  skins,  ready  for  sale  or  home  use,  the 
ancient  customs  and  ceremonies  were  kept  up,  and  there 
was  much  rejoicing,  the  people  clapping  their  hands, 
and  shouting  for  joy. 


420  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

But  Hilwe  took  pleasure  in  none  of  these  things.  At 
most,  she  regarded  them  as  an  escape  or  refuge  from 
what  long  had  ceased  to  be,  if  ever  it  had  been,  home  to 
her. 

When  no  other  outdoor  occupation  offered,  there 
always  remained  the  fetching  the  water  from  the  ain,  or 
fountain.  Of  all  Hilwe's  tasks  this  was  the  one  which 
appealed  most  to  her.  In  traversing  the  ground,  she 
passed  over  the  way  endeared  to  her  by  memories  of 
Hassan  —  places  closely  associated  with  him  and  their 
love ;  and,  as  much  as  possible,  she  lived  over  again  the 
feelings  and  incidents  connected  with  him,  so  deeply 
embedded  in  her  life,  and  which  had  revolutionised  her 
character.  Her  very  sadness  and  grief  in  this  were  a 
species  of  happiness.  It  was  a  holy  grief,  a  sacred  sor 
row;  and  though  the  tear  often  overflowed,  it  was  a  re 
lief,  and  the  indulgence  of  feelings  which  could  find  no 
other  satisfaction. 

Nor  was  she  so  engrossed  with  her  own  troubles  and 
sorrows  that  her  mind  did  not  revert  to  Amne,  who  had 
so  often  been  the  companion  of  her  rambles,  dwelling  on 
the  mystery  of  her  disappearance. 

"  Poor  Amne  !  What  can  have  become  of  her?"  she 
would  ask. 

Kadra  and  the  other  women  latterly  had  ceased  to 
speak  on  the  subject.  It  no  longer  was  a  novelty  or  a 
wonder.  They  frowned  at  mention  of  the  lost  girl's 
name. 

Once,  in  reply  to  a  question  of  Hilwe's,  the  grim  face 
of  the  wise  woman  assumed  the  grimmest  aspect: 

"As  for  Amne,  she  is  lost,"  she  said.  "She  cannot 
be  found.  And  it  is  best  for  her  that  the  people  of 
Malha  cannot  find  her.  Allah  be  merciful  to  us.  To 
judge  from  what  some  say,  she  would  fare  ill  at  their 
hands,  should  she  fall  into  their  power." 

The  words  had  an  ominous  and  terrible  meaning  for 
Hilwe.  Her  face  turned  deathly  pale. 

"Dost  thou  think  they  would  harm  her?  "  she  asked. 

"  I  am  certain  they  would." 

"They  would  not  kill  her,  surely?" 

Kadra  looked  cautiously  around  before  replying. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  421 

"Indeed!  Would  they  not?  Thou  little  knowest 
them,  if  thou  thinkest  that.  They  would  stop  at 
nothing." 

Hilwc  shuddered.  She  pondered  what  Kadra  had 
said.  It  seemed  to  her  a  warning. 

"  Allah  withdraw  not  his  protection,"  she  murmured. 

Her  trouble  was  assuming  overwhelming  proportions. 

"  I  am  in  danger  of  my  life ;  I  must  fly,"  she  said. 
"  O  Hassan  !  why  art  thou  not  here?  " 


CHAPTER   XXXVIII 

A  IN  KARIM,  the  Eye  of  the  Village,  or  the  Foun 
tain  of  the  Village,  as  it  may  be  translated,  let  it 
be  remembered,  is  the  birthplace  of  John  the  Baptist. 
It  is  now  a  small  but  pleasant  village,  situated  in  one 
of  the  most  interesting  and  attractive  of  the  valleys  in 
the  vicinity  of  Jerusalem;  and  its  fountain,  as  we  know, 
is  celebrated  for  the  purity  and  coolness  of  its  water. 

Here  stood  the  house  of  the  priest  Zacharias,  of  the 
course  of  Abia,  and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  who  was  of  the 
daughters  of  Aaron  —  the  father  and  mother  of  the 
Baptist ;  and  this  is  the  place  of"  The  Visitation,"  where, 
nearly  two  thousand  years  ago,  the  aged  Elizabeth  re 
ceived  the  visit  of  the  Handmaid  of  the  Lord  —  as  well 
she  called  herself —  her  beautiful  young  cousin,  the 
Blessed  Virgin. 

The  entire  situation  is  full  of  the  most  picturesque 
features,  —  olive  groves,  fig  orchards  and  vineyards 
abound;  the  surrounding  hills  look  down  like  guardian 
spirits  on  the  gentle  place ;  and  I  do  not  wonder  that 
the  children  of  faith  feel  that  the  very  air  is  saturated 
with  a  sanctity  peculiar  to  so  highly-favoured  a  spot. 
The  Salutation  of  Mary  seems  to  ring  in  one's  ears.  The 
fastnesses  and  heights  overflow  with  Heaven's  melodies ; 
and  the  valleys  answer  back.  Oh,  holy  Motherhood, 
pure  as  the  dew  upon  the  untrodden  mountain  !  Taber 
nacle  of  the  Highest !  "  Blessed  art  thou  among  women  !  " 


422  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

And,  from  out  the  nearer  distances,  resound  anew  the 
words:  "The  dayspring  from  on  high  hath  visited  us,  to 
give  light  to  them  that  sit  in  darkness  and  in  the  shadow 
of  death,  and  to  guide  our  feet  into  the  way  of  peace." 

Peace  —  peace.  It  is  all  peace  where  such  are. 
Mary!  — Could  she  ever  forget  the  voice  of  the  angel? 
"  He  shall  save  his  people  from  their  sins."  She  hid 
those  sublime  mysteries  in  her  heart,  pondering, — that 
loving  heart  over  which  already  hung  the  sword  that  was 
yet  to  pierce  it. 

What  sweet  converse  those  holy  women  must  have 
had  in  walking  together  these  village  paths,  visiting  the 
fountain,  drinking  from  it,  as  we  drink  from  it  to-day ; 
looking  forward  into  the  wonderful  future  that  was 
opening  before  them  !  For  Mary  abode  here  with  her 
cousin  for  three  months,  before  returning  to  her  own 
house  in  Nazareth. 

Previous  to  the  birth  of  "  The  Forerunner,"  Elizabeth 
had  hid  herself  for  five  months,  as  told  to  us  by  St. 
Luke.  The  narrative  is  unadorned  and  terse,  yet  suffi 
cient  for  its  purpose. 

Such  action,  arising  probably  from  her  womanly 
modesty,  may  not  have  been  remarkable  under  the  cir 
cumstances,  nor  uncommon  in  the  country.  But  it  is 
possible  the  visit  of  Mary  may  have  been  connected  with 
this  incident,  that,  with  her  noble  unhesitating  obedience 
to  the  divine  will,  and  her  heavenly-mindedness  she 
might  strengthen  the  faith  of  the  older  and  pious  but 
less  exalted  and  less  devoted  woman. 

And  now,  in  these  latter  days,  under  desperate  cir 
cumstances,  sorely  pressed,  and  fearing  for  her  life, 
Hilwe,  having  fled  from  Malha,  hid  herself,  in  this  same 
place,  knowing  naught  of  the  saintly  women  who,  so 
long  ago,  had  their  abode  here. 

Her  gentle  heart,  shadowed  by  that  which  was  com 
ing  upon  her,  might  well  have  failed  her,  for  at  such  a 
time  Death  walks  hand  in  hand  with  Life,  and  her  case 
was  one  of  special  trial.  Yet  she  kept  her  courage 
with  the  faith  that  God  in  such  a  crisis  specially  endows 
all  his  creatures  with  —  even  the  wild  goats  of  the  rock 
when  they  bow  themselves,  and  cast  out  their  sorrows. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  423 

She  was  alone  with  the  supernal  voices,  and  multitu 
dinous  cries  of  Nature  —  the  unwritten  language  of  God. 
They  were  the  sounds  born  of  these  very  hills  and  dales, 
rocky  mountain-cliff,  seamed  scaur  and  smooth  plateau ; 
and  were  harmoniously  returning  and  sinking  back  into 
the  matrix  where  they  had  been  conceived  and  nour 
ished.  They  were  the  modulated  rejoicings  and  ulula- 
tions  of  the  untamed  living  creatures  which  the  Creator, 
in  his  plenitude  of  love,  had  made  free  and  gracious  and 
beautiful  upon  the  open  hills.  They  were  the  songs  of  the 
wind,  out  on  some  tumultuous  abandonment  —  the  sob 
bing  of  the  west  wind,  drenched  with  tears,  lost  in 
some  desolate  gorge  of  the  valley. 

Poor  Hilwe  !  The  pangs  of  maternity  were  upon  her. 
The  great  and  glorious  Angel  of  Light  and  Life  stood 
by,  with  his  flaming  sword  of  pain  turning  every  way  to 
keep  the  way  to  his  invaluable  treasure  —  the  Tree  of 
Life.  That  other  angel  also  was  there  — Azrael  the 
dreaded,  with  veiled  face,  too  beautiful  for  man  to  look 
upon  and  live.  More  than  once,  in  her  anguish,  did 
Hilwe  stretch  out  her  hands  to  him ;  more  than  once 
were  his  loving  arms  extended  to  receive  her ;  and  her 
straining  eyes  seemed  to  penetrate  the  veil  which  con 
cealed  the  heavenly  lineaments  of  him  whom  men  call 
Death.  For  her  heart  fainted  within  her,  and  her 
strength  ran  low,  and  the  dreaded  one  became  pleasant 
to  the  eye,  and  to  be  desired. 

But  the  Angel  of  Life  trumphed,  and,  with  the  shout 
of  the  victor,  lifted  on  high  his  trophy : 

"  A  man  child  is  born  into  the  world  !  " 

It  was  the  echo  of  the  creative  voice  when,  at  the 
birth  of  the  universe,  the  morning  stars  sang  together, 
and  all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy. 

Now  was  she  glorified  in  her  pain.  Now  was  she 
succoured  and  saved.  The  aureola  of  motherhood 
shone  round  about  her,  and  sanctified  her.  Now  was  she 
more  than  ever  akin  to  Nature  and  to  God.  She  had 
given  pledges  of  her  divine  birthright ;  and  her  title  to 
womanhood  had  received  Love's  highest  sanction. 

"  Allah  hath  had  mercy  on  me,"  she  said.  "  He  is  no 
longer  angry  with  me.  He  is  reconciled." 


424  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

O  Redeeming  Love,  Spirit  of  regeneration,  blessed  be 
thou,  forever  and  forever ! 

The  first  longing  wish  of  Hilwe's  heart,  on  clasping 
her  babe  to  her  breast,  was  for  Hassan. 

"  Oh,  that  Hassan  was  here  to  see  him  !  " 

And  as  she  thought  how  far  off  Hassan  was,  and  how 
impossible  it  was  for  her  to  have  her  wish,  great  tears 
filled  her  eyes. 

"  No,  he  cannot  see  him,"  she  said.  "  I  am  weak  and 
light-headed ;  it  was  wrong  for  me  to  ask  for  that  which 
I  cannot  have.  I  must  be  satisfied.  In  good  time  it 
may  come  to  pass  that  he  shall  see  him." 

So  she  comforted  herself. 

In  the  neighbourhood  of  the  village  is  a  glen  where 
there  are  many  caves  and  ruins.  It  was  a  favourable 
locality  to  hide  in,  isolated,  and  little  resorted  to,  and 
she  was  not  molested  by  the  people  in  the  place  she 
had  selected.  This  was  a  small  cave,  fronted  with  the 
dismantled  remains  of  what  in  former  ages  had  been  a 
religious  building,  but  the  few  broken  walls  of  which 
now  bore  little  resemblance  to  .such  a  structure. 

Here  her  child  was  born :  and  here  Kadra,  who  was 
in  possession  of  her  secret,  visited  her  repeatedly,  bring 
ing  her  supplies,  and  using  great  precaution  lest  she 
should  be  discovered. 

It  was  plain  from  her  actions  that  Kadra  knew  more 
than  she  disclosed  to  Hilwe ;  and  that  her  fears  for  the 
latter's  safety  were  only  too  well  founded. 

"  I  now  always  feel  as  if  they  were  tracking  me,"  she 
said  to  Hilwe.  "  It  enrages  me  to  think  of  it.  I  that 
came  and  went  freely,  with  no  one  to  say  me  nay,  to  feel 
that  I  am  watched,  and  to  be  obliged  to  use  deceit  in  or 
der  to  circumvent  them." 

They  were  seated  in  the  open  air  as  she  spoke,  in  a 
spot  to  where  Hilwe  had  formed  the  habit  of  taking  her 
child,  that  he  might  have  the  benefit  of  the  fresh  breeze 
and  sunshine.  With  the  inclination  to  gossip  and  in 
trigue  inherent  in  the  natives,  Kadra  had  great  enjoy 
ment  in  those  secret  meetings,  notwithstanding  the  risk 
connected  with  them ;  yea,  perhaps,  to  a  large  extent, 
rather  because  of  that  risk  or  danger.  She  enjoyed  re- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


425 


citing  to  Hihve,  who  naturally  longed  to  hear,  all  the 
sayings  and  doings  in  Malha,  the  tittle-tattle  of  the  vil 
lage,  and  the  happenings,  great  and  small,  not  only  of 
the  men  and  women,  but  even  of  the  sheep  and  cattle, 
the  goats  and  donkeys,  down  to  the  dogs,  hens  and 
chickens. 

Kadra,  too,  had  been  a  mother,  though  her  children 
had  died  while  yet  little  ones ;  and  at  sight  of  Hassan's 
child  the  motherly  instincts  revived  and  awoke  in  her. 
She,  consequently,  had  much  advice  to  give  Hilwe  as  to 
the  care  and  nurture  of  the  boy,  who,  from  the  first,  was 
large  for  his  age,  and  who  grew  and  waxed  strong 
rapidly. 

Thus  the  days  had  passed  by,  not  without  many  an 
ameliorative  touch  for  the  banished  Hilwe,  to  whom  her, 
so  far,  undisturbed  abode  in  the  peaceful  valley  had 
given  almost  a  sense  of  immunity  in  general,  as  well  as 
security  from  special  danger,  in  despite  of  threatful 
warning. 

Even  Kadra  felt  the  sweet  influence  of  the  place  and 
hour,  as  they  sat  thus  in  the  open,  beneath  some  unin- 
closed  olive-trees,  and  began  to  think  she  might  have 
exaggerated  the  evil  intentions  of  the  men  of  Malha. 
So  that  when  Hilwe  said :  "  Mayhap  they  speak  worse 
than  they  would  do,"  Kadra  replied  "Yea.  God  grant  it 
be  so  !  " 

The  little  child  beguiled  and  led  their  thoughts  into 
pleasant  channels. 

"  Is  he  not  like  Hassan?" 

Hilwe  lifted  up  her  son,  loosed  of  his  swaddling 
clothes,  as  she  spoke. 

"  He  is  his  express  image,"  exclaimed  the  childless 
Kadra,  as  she  seized  the  infant  and  folded  him  to  her 
breast. 

A  passionate  love  for  their  children  is  a  high  and 
stanch  characteristic  of  the  people.  It  partakes  of  the 
wild  animal's  devotion  for  its  young. 

"  Ay,  I  see  him  in  every  limb." 

"What  name  hast  thou  given  him,  Hilwe?" 

"  Ah  !     Have  I  not  told  thee  ?  " 

Now  this  was  a  slight  evasion,  for  the  subject  was  a 


426  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

delicate  one  with  Hilwe,  and  she  felt  shamefaced  about 
it.  "  Yet  why  should  I  ?  "  she  thought. 

"Nay,  thou  hast  not  told  me,"  replied  Kadra. 

Hilwe  kept  her  eyes  fixed  upon  the  ground,  and 
remained  silent. 

"Thou  hast  not  told  me,"  reiterated  Kadra.  "But 
doubtless  thou  wilt  call  him  Hassan,  after  the  name  of 
his  father." 

Hilwe  suddenly  raised  her  eyes,  and  looked  full  at 
Kadra,  at  the  same  time  reaching  her  hands  out  for  the 
boy,  and  pressing  him  to  her. 

"  His  name  is  Talmai,"  she  said. 

"Talmai,  sayestthou?" 

"Even  so." 

"There  is  none  of  his  kindred  that  is  called  by  this 
name  —  is  there?  " 

"  Hassan  said  that  if  ever  he  had  a  son  he  should  call 
his  name  Talmai;  and  so  it  is  his  name." 

Doubtless  to  Hilwe  there  could  be  but  one  Hassan; 
she  did  not  wish  to  share  the  name  even  with  his 
son. 

Kadra,  expressing  her  astonishment,  and  repeating 
her  question,  Hilwe  added,  - 

"Hassan  told  me  it  was  his  father's  name,  and  the 
name  of  his  father's  father." 

Whereupon  Kadra  confessed  her  satisfaction.  Cus 
tom  had  not  been  violated. 

"Thou  wilt,  then,  call  him  Talmai  ibn  Hassan  — 
Talmai  son  of  Hassan,"  she  said. 

To  this  Hilwe  tacitly  acquiesced.  So  the  boy  was 
named  accordingly. 

While  they  were  yet  speaking,  and  fondling  the 
child,  they  heard  a  noise  of  footsteps  and  voices, 
mingled  with  other  sounds,  in  the  road  below.  A 
drove  of  camels  went  by  with  their  awkwardly  majestic 
stalk,  tinkling  bells,  and  grimly-gaunt  faces,  woe 
begone  to  comicality,  their  labour-marked  bodies 
padded  by  nature,  as  if  for  man's  convenience,  on 
which  principle  indeed  their  whole  structure  seems 
carried  out.  Was  ever  such  a  mixture  of  the  grand 
and  the  grotesque  ? 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  427 

"See  there,"  cried  Hilwe  pointing  to  them  in 
alarm,  and  clasping  her  child  closer  to  her. 

"  Let  us  keep  very  quiet  till  they  go  by,"  said  Kadra. 
"They  may  not  notice  us." 

She  drew  Hilwe  down  beside  her. 

"  I  have  always  thought,"  she  added,  "that  the  camel, 
the  Jew,  and  the  olive-tree  are  of  one  breed.  They  all 
have  in  their  natures  the  same  stubbornness.  It  wearies 
one.  It  is  the  unbounded  obduracy  of  them,  worse 
than  obstinacy.  I  know  not  how  to  call  it." 

It  would  be  impossible  to  render  in  cool  English  the 
warm,  high-coloured  tone  of  her  Arabic,  as  she  dilated 
on  the  subject. 

"Do  we  not  speak  of  the  enmity  of  the  camel,"  she 
continued,  "when  we  want  to  describe  inveterate 
hatred  ?  It  never  forgets  its  revenge,  should  a  man 
happen  to  hurt  or  displease  it.  If  it  lived  for  one  hun 
dred  years,  it  would  still  watch  its  opportunity  to  kick 
back,  or  spit  at  him,  or,  Allah  preserve  us,  take  off  the 
top  of  his  skull,  at  one  bite.  See  how  the  hump 
backed,  —  the  crooked-necked  ones,  the  vindictive,  how 
they  seem  to  sniff  us  out  as  they  go  by.  What  dis 
dainful  eyes  they  turn  on  us,  as  though  they  wanted  to 
attract  attention  to  us!  And  as  for  the  olive-tree, 
what  hardihood  and  endurance  it  has!  If  beaten,  it 
bears  all  the  better;  if  neglected  or  cut  down,  it  still 
puts  forth  leaves  and  new  growths.  Give  it  the  least 
chance,  it  is  flourishing  as  well  as  ever.  Shouldst 
thou  burn  it,  or  grub  out  the  stump,  the  ungrafted 
roots  would  send  up  wild  saplings,  as  if  in  defiance  and 
contempt  of  thee,  and  as  though  it  said,  '  Thou  hast 
punished  thyself.'  But  when  I  come  to  the  Yahoodi 
—  the  Jew!"  —(Oh,  what  a  volume  of  disgust  was  in 
her  utterance  of  the  word!)  —  "When  I  come  to  the 
Yahoodi! — Ugh!  what  shall  I  say?  He  is  beyond  all, 
for  those  qualities.  They  call  themselves  the  people  of 
God.  Some,  like  the  Turks,  call  them  the  people  of 
Moses.  To  my  mind,  they  are  the  children  of  Shaitan. " 

"Yet  there  is  some  good  in  all  three,  — the  olive, 
the  camel  and  the  Jew, "  interposed  Hilwe;  "especially 
in  the  olive-tree." 


428  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  I  speak  not  so  much  against  the  camel,  —  it  is  an 
example  of  God's  wisdom;  nor  do  I  say  aught  against 
the  olive-tree,"  replied  Kadra.  "Doubtless  there  is 
good  in  it,  —  it  giveth  us  oil  that  maketh  man  of  a 
cheerful  countenance,  —  perhaps  because  it  cannot  help 
it.  It  is  the  best  of  the  three;  though,  as  I  said,  all 
are  alike  hard.  But  those  Yahood,  in  Jerusalem  !  "  — 
(Again  what  bitter  scorn  was  in  her  tone !)  —  "  When  I 
think  of  them,  I  only  can  despise  and  loathe  them. 
They  are  like  walking  dunghills.  How  they  bickered 
and  chaffered  over  what  I  had  to  sell,  till  they  wore 
me  out  and  distracted  me !  and,  to  get  rid  of  them, 
scarcely  knowing  what  I  did,  I  let  them  have  it  at  far 
less  than  it  was  worth,  —  and  all  my  many  hard  days' 
work  in  the  burning  sun  went  for  nothing. " 

"Too  bad,  too  bad  for  thee, "  murmured  Hilwe, 
sympathetically,  with  that  indescribable  shake  of  the 
head,  and  click  of  the  tongue,  and  movement  of  the 
hands,  which  meant  so  much. 

"There!  As  I  live,"  said  Kadra,  "there  is  one  of 
them.  See  that  Jew.  It  is  he  owns  the  merchandise 
which  the  caravan  is  conveying.  So  we  have  all  three 
-the  Yahoodi,  the  camel,  and  the  olive-tree — before 
us.  The  Jew  smells  money  as  you  would  smell  the 
fumes  of  roast  meat.  I  have  seen  this  man  more  than 
once.  He  has  much  riches.  Those  Jews  are  crowd 
ing  into  the  country,  and  filling  it.  They  say  they 
will  again  possess  the  land.  They  would  deprive  us 
of  our  inheritance,  claiming  they  own  it,  through  an 
old  covenant  with  Chalil  —  Abraham.  Allah  have 
mercy  upon  us !  The  Turk  is  bad  enough.  But  if  the 
Yahoodi  governed,  it  would  be  past  bearing.  There 
would  be  no  peace  for  any  one." 

Hilwe  had  hardly  given  full  attention  to  Kadra's 
remarks,  having  often  heard  her  expatiate  on  the 
Jewish  question,  and  also  being  necessarily  more  or 
less  occupied  with  the  care  of  the  infant  Talmai. 
There  was  a  further  reason  :  she  had  observed  that  one 
of  the  camel  drivers,  who  proved  to  be  a  man  from  the 
neighbourhood  of  Malha,  had  evidently  caught  sight  of 
them,  and,  recognising  them,  had  dropped  out,  and, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  429 

under  pretext  of  cutting  a  stick  from  the  hedge,  had 
cautiously  and  slyly  approached  near  enough  to  satisfy 
himself  as  to  their  identity. 

Both  the  women  were  much  disturbed  at  his  actions; 
and  Kadra,  whose  attention  had  been  called  to  him  by 
Hilwe,  was  convinced  that  the  incident  boded  them  no 
good. 

"  He  will  surely  convey  information  to  Malha  of  his 
having  seen  us,"  said  Kadra.  "This  place  will  not 
then  be  safe  for  thee. " 

"  With  the  help  of  Allah !  it  may  not  be  as  bad  as 
thou  thinkest,"  Hilwe  urged,  trying  to  reassure  herself. 

Yet  she  trembled  for  the  safety  of  her  little  one. 

"  Yea ;  let  us  watch  and  hope  for  the  best. " 

Leaning  above  the  child,  in  their  solicitude,  the 
heads  of  Kadra  and  Hilwe  came  near  to  meeting,  — the 
worn  elderly  face  in  proximity  to  the  radiantly  young 
and  beautiful  one  of  the  mother.  It  was  a  sight  recall 
ing  the  great  Holy  Family,  —  that  masterpiece  of 
Raphael,  which  hangs  with  its  six  companion  Raphaels, 
all  apart,  by  themselves,  in  the  Museo  Nazionale,  in 
Naples,  and  shows  the  fair,  youthful  Virgin  and  the 
aged  Elizabeth  bending  with  adoring  reverence  above 
the  Holy  Child,  the  boy  John  the  Baptist  kneeling 
before  him  for  his  blessing. 

Kadra  touched  fondlingly,  with  warm  love,  the  cheek 
of  the  little  Talmai  with  her  finger-tips,  which  she 
then  kissed  in  honour  of  his  being  a  man-child.  The 
babe  had  begun  to  learn  to  be  shy,  —  one  of  the  first 
things  the  infant  learns.  He  looked  up  and  smiled, 
then  suddenly  hid  his  face  against  his  mother's  breast. 

"Who  could  harden  the  heart  against  such  a  little 
one?"  said  Kadra.  "Who  could  put  forth  a  hand  to 
hurt  him  ?  " 

Hilwe  stared  at  her.  The  words  were  to  her  idle 
words,  as  she  clasped  her  boy  to  her  bosom. 

The  last  tinklings  of  the  camel's  bells  had  died 
away  in  the  distance.  The  caravan  had  passed  out  of 
sight  behind  a  curve  in  the  hills,  the  spying  muleteer 
having  hastened  forward  to  catch  up  with  it.  The  air 
seemed  saturated  with  odorous  silence,  and  the  blue 


430  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

ether  of  the  welkin,  like  powdered  turquoise,  seemed 
nearer  than  in  other  places,  — as  if  Heaven  itself  drew 
nigh.  The  women,  impressed  with  the  quiet  of  the 
place  and  hour,  hung  their  heads  in  pensive  thought, 
as  if  loath  to  break  the  stillness.  It  soothed,  and 
gradually  drew  their  fears  from  them.  It  was  so 
peaceful,  hushed  and  calm,  they  could  hear  the  faint 
rustle  of  the  tremulous  grasses  at  their  feet ;  and  the 
far-off  stridulation  of  a  locust,  making  nuptial  music 
for  his  mate,  as  he  clung  to  the  overweighted  scarlet 
blossom  of  a  pomegranate,  in  one  of  the  village  gardens, 
came  in  a  fine  clear  note  of  prolonged,  attenuated  tone, 
—  the  very  ghost  of  sound,  but  still  distinctly  audible. 

Suddenly  they  heard  a  voice  out  of  this  purple  and 
golden  lull.  It  seemed  as  if  all  the  sweet  and  gentle 
sounds  in  nature  had  been  gathered  together  to  form 
the  notes  and  the  words : 

"Allah  ya-kareem !  Allah  ya-kareem !  (O  God  the 
generous !)  " 

Kadra  and  Hilwe  turned  instinctively  in  the  direc 
tion  whence  the  tones  proceeded.  It  was  one  of  the 
ringdoves  of  Palestine,  which  had  its  nest  in  the  adja 
cent  ruins. 

These  birds  are  regarded  as  especially  sacred.  In 
cooing,  they  bow,  as  if  in  worship,  saying  what  to  the 
native  ear  resembles,  "Allah  ya-kareem  !  "  —which,  on 
the  present  occasion,  was  almost  perfectly  articulated. 
On  account  of  this  peculiarity,  the  Moslems  and 
natives  generally  have  so  much  affection  for  these 
gentle  creatures  that  they  consider  it  a  great  sin  to 
kill  one  of  them.  Of  course  Christians,  too,  have  a 
deep  sympathy  on  the  subject,  believing  it  was  in  the 
form  of  a  dove  that  the  Holy  Spirit  descended  upon 
Christ  at  his  baptism. 

"Listen,  listen,  Kadra!  Hear  how  plainly  it  says 
'Allah  ya-kareem!'"  exclaimed  Hilwe. 

"I  hear  it.  Except  the  Angel  Israfil  himself,  the 
sweetest-voiced  of  all  God's  creatures,  whose  trumpet 
shall  call  to  life  the  dead  out  of  their  graves,  I  doubt 
if  any  other  being  could  sing  so  sweetly." 

"  Is  it  not  a  good  omen  ?  " 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  431 

"Yea;  that  it  is.     Let  us  take  comfort  from  it." 
As  Kadra  saluted  Hilwe  and  the  child  in  bidding 
them  farewell,   she  whispered: 

"  I  shall  watch  everything  closely,  when  I  return  to 
Malha.  And  should  there  be  any  danger  to  thee,  I 
shall  return  quickly  and  bring  thee  word." 


CHAPTER   XXXIX 

SINCE  Hassan  had  arrived  with  the  troops  in  Crete, 
there  had  been  little  or  no  news  of  him.  The 
habit  of  writing  letters  is  one  seldom  indulged  in 
among  the  fellaheen,  to  whom  caligraphy  is  generally 
a  mysterious  accomplishment ;  and  the  not  sending  or 
receiving  such  missives  would  excite  no  extraordinary 
feeling  or  comment.  Not  often  can  they  read,  still 
less  often  can  they  write,  and  the  amanuensis  is  a  rare 
commodity.  Yet  Hassan  had  written,  once,  twice,  and 
even  a  third  time,  at  lengthy  intervals.  But  he  had 
received  no  reply.  His  letters  had  never  reached 
Hilwe. 

As  the  time  passed  by,  the  fact  that  he  had  not  heard 
worried  him  not  a  little.  With  her,  who  had  never 
received  a  letter  in  her  life,  —  why  should  she  grieve 
or  take  it  to  heart  that  no  epistle  from  Hassan  was 
received  by  her?  That,  however,  does  not  mean  that 
she  did  not  hunger  and  thirst  for  a  word  from  him. 

Reports  enough  of  a  certain  kind  relative  to  the 
soldiers  reached  Palestine. 

It  could  not  be  said  that  they  were  favourable  or 
reflected  credit  on  them.  Rather  otherwise.  These 
rumours  contained  complaints  of  the  irregular  doings 
of  the  troops,  their  lawlessness  and  violence,  accusing 
them  of  murders,  of  assaulting  women,  and  seizing  and 
appropriating  bread  and  other  food  and  supplies  wher 
ever  they  could  lay  hands  on  them. 

Various  articles  to  this  effect  had  found  their  way 
from  month  to  month,  not  only  into  the  London 


432  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

"Times,"  but,  so  far  as  Palestine  news  was  concerned, 
what  was  of  more  importance,  into  the  "  Egyptian 
Gazette,"  the  latter  paper,  published  in  Alexandria, 
reaching  Jerusalem  much  more  frequently  than  did  the 
great  "Thunderer." 

Though  possibly  not  without  a  slight  foundation  of 
truth,  the  more  horrible  and  blood-curdling  of  these 
reports  were,  in  all  probability,  highly  coloured,  if  not 
greatly  exaggerated,  to  the  disadvantage  and  disparage 
ment  of  the  Turkish  troops,  who,  had  they  been  as 
gentle  as  lambs,  could  not  have  proved  acceptable  to 
the  Cretans,  or  have  escaped  calumny. 

That  the  soldiers,  both  Syrian  and  Turkish,  were 
quite  bad  enough  without  having  committed  some  of 
the  more  extraordinary  offences  of  which  they  were 
accused,  may  easily  be  admitted.  But  the  surround 
ings  in  which  they  were  placed  presented  inviting 
opportunities  as  well  as  extenuating  circumstances, 
which,  though  not  condoning  the  exceptional  and  more 
flagrant  crimes,  at  least  mitigated  the  grossness  of  the 
too  frequent  but  less  serious  delinquencies. 

As  to  particular  or  individual  information,  next  to 
none  was  received  by  the  families  of  the  men  in  Pales 
tine.  Nor,  as  has  been  intimated,  was  this  considered 
a  grievance,  or  unusual. 

Up  in  the  mountainous  parts,  Hassan  found  much 
to  remind  him  of  the  hill  country  of  Palestine,  with  a 
difference.  Here  he  again,  in  some  degree,  drank  in 
the  freedom  of  the  hills.  Here  he  found  his  lost  self, 
though  not  his  lost  Hilwe.  How  he  rejoiced  and 
gloried  in  these  purple  heights!  How  grand,  reminis 
cent,  and  inspiring  they  were !  —  Mount  Ida,  "  many- 
fountained  Ida,"  in  almost  the  centre  of  the  island, 
dominating  all  the  ancient  summits  with  imperial 
supremacy. 

In  the  highlands  dwelt  the  Sphakiots,  — those  hardy 
and  brave  mountaineers,  now  in  open  insurrection, 
who,  from  the  isolated  and  inaccessible  character  of 
the  place  of  their  abode,  have  always  been  able  to 
maintain  at  least  a  partial  independence.  They  are  of 
the  same  race  as  the  inhabitants  of  the  plains,  but 


Hassan :  a  Fellah          ,  433 

this  does  not  prevent  their  raiding  upon  the  latter  as 
occasion  offers;  and  the  restive  character  and  fighting 
qualities  of  the  Sphakiots  constitute  them  far  other 
than  agreeable  neighbours. 

Yet,  though  sent  to  coerce  them,  Hassan  could  not 
help  having  a  covert  sympathy  with  them.  He,  no 
doubt,  felt  that,  in  their  natures  and  habits,  they  had 
much  which  allied  them  to  the  peasant  of  Palestine. 
Were  they  not  also  rebelling  against  the  oppressive 
alien  rule  of  the  Turk? 

Thus  the  days,  the  weeks,  and  the  months  passed 
with  Hassan,  sometimes  closely  occupied,  at  other 
times  with  abundant  leisure.  He  had  adventures  with 
men,  adventures  with  wild  hunted  creatures  on  hill 
and  in  valley,  adventures  of  all  sorts,  — exploits,  war 
like  and  other,  in  town  and  village,  in  mountain,  on 
plain,  and  in  wilderness.  Life  broadened  and  vibrated 
before  him.  He  felt  new  strengths  within  him.  How 
glorious! 

Human  nature,  like  all  nature,  has  from  top  to 
bottom,  from  beginning  to  end,  one  predominant  trait 
and  procedure:  it  at  once  sets  about  accommodating 
itself  to  circumstances,  when  it  cannot  break  through 
them  and  emancipate  itself.  It  seems  to  consider  it 
the  next  best  thing.  Hassan  was  no  exception  to  this. 
He  reconciled  himself  to  his  new  life  as  best  he 
could. 

His  quick,  lovable  disposition  could  scarcely  be  ex 
pected  to  turn  to  a  cold,  phlegmatic,  uncompromis 
ing  guard  upon  his  actions  at  a  moment's  notice,  and 
when  he  was  taken  at  a  pinch.  Far  otherwise.  It 
played  him  many  a  false  friend's  part,  without  the 
least  intention  of  treachery,  and  led  him  sometimes 
into  doing  that  which  he  ought  not  to  have  done.  His 
genial,  manly  ways  brought  him  companionship  which 
was  not  always  conducive  to  his  best  interests. 

His  warm  friendship  for  Chalil  had  never  wavered 
nor  grown  less;  it  still  was  characterised  by  the  old- 
time  fervour.  But  Chalil  was  assigned  to  another  com  • 
pany  from  that  to  which  Hassan  belonged.  So  their 
meetings  had  become  less  frequent. 

28 


434  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

In  the  tedium  of  the  barrack  and  of  camp-life,  the 
soldiers  had  recourse,  as  usual,  to  various  games  of 
chance;  and  gambling,  that  bane  of  the  Oriental, 
grew  more  and  more  prevalent  among  them. 

One  day,  in  the  course  of  some  heated  play  with  a 
brother-soldier,  an  agreeable  off-hand  fellow  to  whom 
Hassan  had  been  drawn  of  late,  among  some  money 
thrown  down  by  the  former  in  making  a  payment,  was  a 
small  disc  of  mother-of-pearl.  Hassan  had  noticed  it 
at  a  glance,  something  in  its  appearance  attracted  him, 
and  his  hand  went  out  involuntarily  to  seize  it. 

"  Ah,  that  is  my  talisman,  the  precious  pledge  of 
love ! "  cried  his  companion,  who  was  given  to  boast  of 
his  amours,  plucking  it  out  from  among  the  coins.  "  I 
would  not  lose  it  for  the  world." 

There  was  that  about  the  little  carved  amulet  which 
strangely  affected  Hassan.  It  was  like  one  he 
knew. 

"Nay,"  he  said;  "but  let  me  look  upon  it  for  a 
moment,  Murad. " 

But  Murad,  affecting  a  mystery,  and  that  it  was 
connected  with  a  clandestine  love-affair,  would  not 
deliver  the  trinket  into  Hassan's  extended  palm. 

"  Ah !  do  I  not  see  the  eyes,  so  dark,  so  lustrous,  of 
the  damsel  who,  ere  ever  I  left  the  shores  of  Palestine, 
gave  me  this  love-token  ?  "  exclaimed  Murad,  as  he 
pressed  to  his  lips  the  glistening  nacre.  "Was  she 
not  fair  as  the  noonday?  Was  she  not  indeed  my 
love  ?  Do  I  not  now  behold  her  fingers,  pink  as  the 
dawn,  and  tipped  golden  with  henna?  Do  I  not  feel 
her  arms  about  my  neck,  as  her  lips,  red  as  a  cleft  in 
a  pomegranate,  gave  themselves  freely  to  me  that  I 
might  pasture  on  them  ?  A  man  is  naught  without 
love.  His  history  should  be  writ  in  love.  He  should 
be  like  a  gallant  frigate  or  costly  argosy  laden  with 
richest  freightage,  with  well-trimmed  sheets  and  cord 
age,  bearing  bravely  onward,  forward,  and  with  faith 
ful  prow,  obedient  to  the  helm,  cleaving  the  purple 
sea  of  love  into  silvery  spray." 

Hassan's  face  grew  darker,  and  his  brow  contracted 
as  he  listened  to  Murad 's  flowery  paean.  The  forced 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  435 

smile  faded  gradually  from  his  lips.  His  mind  went 
back  to  the  amulet. 

"How  like  it  is  to  that  which  I  carved  for  Hilwe," 
he  thought.  "  Yet  it  may  not  be  —  it  cannot  be  the 
same." 

"  Thou  needest  not  look  so  severe  and  cold,  Hassan. 
A  man  built  as  thou  art!  Tell  me,  indeed!  Ha,  ha! 
Thou  requirest  no  trumpeter  to  go  before  thee  to 
declare  it.  Thou  canst  not  hide  it.  I  warrant  thou 
art  not  without  thine  own  experiences." 

The  attempted  grin  upon  Hassan's  mouth,  expected 
in  response  to  this  sally,  was  of  the  sardonic  order,  and 
found  no  habitation  there,  but  fled  as  soon  as  it  came. 

"  But  where  is  the  abiding-place  of  this  incomparable 
damsel  —  this  leman  of  thine?" 

"Must  I  tell  thee?  I  trow  not.  That  be  far  from 
me." 

Murad  thus  replied,  being  confused  at  the  close 
questioning. 

"Thou  hast  said  it  was  in  the  hill  country,"  persisted 
Hassan.  "  Was  it  between  Jerusalem  and  Hebron,  nigh 
to  —  to  Bethlehem  ?  " 

Hassan  could  not  bear  to  speak  the  word  which  was 
upon  his  lips,  and  avoided  mentioning  Malha. 

"Thou  sayest.  It  was  even  so.  Since  thou  hast 
lighted  upon  it,  I  may  as  well  admit  it." 

The  most  loving  heart  is  not  warranted  free  from  the 
canker  of  doubt.  The  heart  of  an  angel  may  be  warped 
with  jealousy.  So  Hassan,  as  he  heard  the  easy,  likely 
Murad  make  his  complacent,  undisguised  boast  of  his 
amour,  felt  his  heart  tremble  and  grow  faint.  He  that 
had  courage  to  face  the  battle-charge  and  confront  any 
man,  was  weak  and  helpless  in  the  presence  of  such  a 
disaster,  — the  shipwreck  of  his  love. 

Yet  he  steadied  his  voice  to  speak  and  question  the 
man,  — he  was  very  cruel  to  himself  that  he  might  be 
sure,  and  so  be  still  more  cruel.  A  gray  pallor  had 
settled  in  his  face,  which  was  drawn  and  torn  with  his 
emotions. 

He  fell  into  the  mood  of  the  man  who  held  the 
secret  of  his  misery,  in  order  to  reach  that  secret,  and 


436  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

questioned  him  as  to  the  woman,  —  her  voice,  her 
appearance,  her  manner,  with  an  agonising  exactness. 

"  Thou  art  certain  ?  " 

"  Yea,  it  is  as  thou  sayest  in  every  respect.  I  can 
not  vary  an  inch  —  or  as  much  as  a  grain  of  mustard 
seed.  Ought  I  not  to  know?"  added  Murad,  with 
maddening  significance. 

"And  her  hair?  Thou  didst  not  mention  as  to  her 
hair." 

"Verily  as  thou  hast  said.  Dark  as  night,  and  like 
a  veil  or  mantle  about  her." 

The  veins  were  swollen  to  bursting  at  Hassan's 
temples  and  in  his  throat.  He  felt  as  if  he  would  tear 
the  secret  out  of  him.  He  was  suffocating. 

"  Didst  thou  know  her,  Hassan  ?  " 

"Know  her?"  thundered  the  reply,  in  such  an  un 
natural,  hollow  voice,  it  startled  Murad  —  "Know  her? 
By  Allah !  I  never  knew  her  till  now." 

"  I  thought,  from  thy  questioning,  that  perhaps  thou 
mightest  have  known  her. " 

"Ha,  ha!" 

There  was  something  horrible,  maniacal  in  that 
laugh,  as  if  it  held  a  groan  and  a  curse.  Murad  could 
not  join  in  it.  He  began  to  feel  that  all  was  not  right 
with  Hassan,  that  something  was  unlucky,  unfriendly, 
and  remained  silent. 

"And  so  thou  didst  imagine  I  knew  her!  Thou  well 
mightest!  But,  nay,  nay.  How  should  I  know  her?  " 

Murad  felt  Hassan's  eyes  burn  into  him.  How 
large  and  penetrating  they  were!  He  moved  in  his 
seat  uneasily.  His  delightfully  sensual  mood  and 
attitude  were  disturbed.  He  had  answered  many  of 
the  questions  as  if  under  a  spell,  — as  if  he  could  not 
help  but  reply.  Yet  he  had  enjoyed  the  amorous 
boasts.  His  happy  self-confidence  and  exuberant 
animalism  were  now  oozing  away.  What  did  it  all 
mean  ? 

"Wilt  thou  not  let  me  see  thy  talisman  —  thy  love- 
pledge?"  once  more  requested  Hassan. 

He  spoke  smoothly,  carelessly,  as  if  it  did  not  much 
matter. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  437 

"After  all,  why  not?"  airily  responded  Murad, 
relenting. 

His  hand  went  down  willingly  and  comfortably,  with 
a  sense  of  pleasure,  into  the  pocket  of  his  trousers. 

"There,"  he  said,  with  an  air  of  relief  and  pride. 

He  held  the  pearly  disc  between  his  finger  and 
thumb,  opposite  Hassan,  but  did  not  give  it  into  his 
hands. 

"It  is  terribly  like  the  asphodel  I  carved  for  her," 
was  Hassan's  sorrowful  conclusion. 

His  light  darkened. 

There  was  one  more  question  to  ask,  which  Hassan 
shrank  from.  He  tried  to  put  it,  and  paused  again 
and  again.  It  was  like  exposing  his  last  hope  to  its 
death-wound. 

"And  the  name  of  this  thy  leman?  How  didst 
thou  call  her?  " 

The  question  revived,  pleased  and  reassured  Murad. 
He  aroused  himself. 

"  Her  name,  didst  thou  say?  " 

"Ay,  her  name." 

"Hilwe,"  lightly  answered  Murad. 

"Now  God  pity  me!"  was  the  cry  in  Hassan's 
heart,  though  unuttered  by  his  lips. 

There  was  a  fierce  glare,  —  a  danger-light  in  his 
eyes. 

"  Thou  liest ! "  he  shouted.  Then  in  a  sort  of  luxury 
of  agony,  he  added :  "  But  if  thou  tellest  lies,  why  be 
sparing  of  them  ?  Why  not  unfold  to  me  all  thy  sweet 
love-dalliance?  —  thy  secret  converse?  Keep  nothing 
back.  There  are  no  prudes  here  to  call  halt;  no  one 
to  blush  or  cry  shame.  Tell  it  all !  Liar,  knave, 
beast,  show  thyself  in  all  thy  debauched  nakedness ! 
Let  us  see  thee  in  thy  full  presentment !  Allah  curse 
thee,  as  I  do,  for  a  vile  profligate  wretch ! " 

Hassan  had  risen  from  his  seat,  that  he  might  get  a 
nearer  view  of  the  amulet.  His  was  a  striking  figure. 
He  drew  himself  up  to  his  full  height,  his  shapely 
thighs  and  legs  ascending  out  of  his  long-boots  like 
columns  of  perfection,  the  massive  pillars  of  the 
glorious  temple  of  his  body.  As  he  strode  across  the 


43 8  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

floor,  the  distinction  of  the  man  was  notable.  Broad 
in  the  chest,  square  in  the  shoulders,  gracefully  thin 
in  the  flank,  solidly  jointed  throughout,  large  and 
strong  and  grandly  formed  in  all  his  members,  his 
martial  air  and  bearing  permeated  the  whole,  and  his 
noble  head  and  fine,  intellectual  face  crowned  the 
magnificent  structure  worthily.  He  was  handsomer 
than  ever.  His  varied  mental  and  soul  experiences  had 
generated  in  him  a  wealth  of  expression  of  surpassing 
force,  as  the  drill  and  military  training  had  developed 
into  a  new  beauty  the  salient  features  of  his  physique. 
He  was  a  man  to  be  worshipped,  —  a  demi-god. 

"But  the  damnably  insulting  words!  How  could 
any  man  endure  them  ?  "  as  Murad  said. 

He,  the  impetuous  Murad,  was  instantly  upon  his 
feet,  though  he  could  scarce  understand  the  meaning 
of  the  quarrel,  which  seemed  to  him  so  unprovoked. 
Without  the  least  hesitation,  he  flung  himself  upon 
Hassan;  nor  was  the  gay,  stocky  soldier,  of  warm 
imagination,  a  combatant  to  be  sneered  at,  or  lightly 
to  be  considered. 

They  closed  as  in  a  tournament  shock. 

Locked  in  each  other's  embrace,  they  wrestled  and 
struggled,  writhed  and  twisted,  with  an  amazing  dis 
play  of  strength  and  agility.  Many  a  ringing  blow 
was  given  and  received.  Limb  to  limb,  sinew  to 
sinew,  muscle  to  muscle,  man  to  man,  —  every  point 
was  called  forth,  employed  and  thoroughly  tested  in 
the  encounter. 

They  had  seen  the  Greeks  on  the  island  in  their 
wrestling-matches,  which  had  somewhat  of  the  flavour 
of  the  ancient  Olympic  games,  and  had  learned  and 
knew  how  to  put  to  use  some  of  their  tactics. 

But  soon  the  more  regular  order  of  the  conflict  devel 
oped  into  a  decided  heat,  and  at  length  broke  into 
what  might  be  designated  a  frenzied  rage.  They  handled 
each  other  severely,  and  without  consideration  of 
propriety.  The  scanty  furniture  of  the  room  was 
hurled  to  and  fro,  as  they  swung  from  side  to  side, 
regardless  of  what  might  happen  to  their  abused  and 
battered  bodies. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  439 

Then  came  a  more  deadly  tussle.  They  clenched 
with  desperate  grip,  and  tried  to  throw  each  other  by 
tripping.  How  closely  they  were  clasped  together! 
But  how  far  it  was  from  being  a  loving  embrace !  As 
if  one  man,  — arms  grappling,  legs  entwined,  straining 
to  the  utmost, — they  fell  with  mighty  concussion, 
rolling  over  and  over  upon  the  floor. 

Sometimes  Hassan  was  on  top,  sometimes  Murad. 
They  struck  out  right  and  left.  They  pommelled  and 
hurt  each  other  as  best  they  could.  At  last  Hassan 
got  Murad  well  under,  holding  him  down  with  his 
weight,  which  was  no  light  one.  All  the  efforts  of  the 
latter  to  throw  him  off  and  release  himself  were  in 
vain.  As  Murad  was  furious,  and  obstinately  would 
not  confess  to  being  conquered,  but  still  struggled 
vigorously,  Hassan  kept  his  place  well  on  top,  almost 
squeezing  the  breath  out  of  the  heaving,  panting  body 
beneath  him,  while  insisting  that  the  talisman  should 
be  delivered  to  him  forthwith. 

This  demand  Murad  refused  to  comply  with,  though 
completely  in  Hassan's  power. 

"  Wilt  thou  yield  ?  " 

"Nay." 

"Then  take  this,"  said  Hassan,  planting  a  judicious 
blow. 

To  hasten  matters,  he  took  Murad  by  the  collar, 
almost  choking  him,  while  he  placed  his  knee  upon  his 
prostrate  bulk,  repeating  his  demand. 

This  brought  Murad  to  terms. 

"Wilt  thou  kill  me?"  he  muttered. 

"Ay,  I  shall  kill  thee." 

"Hold.  It  is  enough,"  cried  Murad.  "I  did  not 
take  thee  to  be  so  bloody  a  man." 

His  crimsoned  face  was  growing  purple;  and  he 
compromised  by  saying  that  while  he  never  should  give 
Hassan  the  amulet,  the  latter  might  take  it  off  his  — 
Murad's  —  person.  This  seemed  to  satisfy  the  empty 
conceit  of  the  overwhelmed  man,  who  quietly,  without 
the  least  hindrance,  submitted  to  Hassan's  plunging 
his  hand  into  his  pocket,  and  drawing  forth  the  unlucky 
trinket. 


44°  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

There  was  not  possible  a  single  doubt  as  to  the' iden 
tity  of  the  ornament.  Hassan  held  it  before  him,  and 
examined  it  over  and  over  again  with  unnecessary 
scrutiny.  Yes,  he  knew  his  own  work,  he  could  not 
be  mistaken,  it  was  the  starry  asphodel  he  had  carved 
for  Hilwe. 

"  Every  man  knows  his  own  work,"  he  repeated,  with 
a  heart-rending  sigh. 

There,  too,  was  the  place  where  she  had  interrupted 
him,  and  when,  in  consequence,  he  had  carelessly  let 
his  tool  slip,  and  slightly  marred  the  carving.  How 
well  he  remembered  it.  Then,  turning  the  reverse,  he 
saw  where  he  had  lightly  scratched  upon  it  Hilwe' s 
name.  It  was  now  almost  obliterated,  through  abra 
sion,  and,  together  with  a  little  private  mark  he  had 
made,  was  not  easily  perceptible  to  the  eye  of  the 
ordinary  observer.  But  it  was  only  too  palpable  to 
him  who  knew  it  —  too  positive  testimony,  too  damag 
ing  evidence  for  the  unfortunate  Hassan's  peace  of 
mind. 

"  O  Allah  !  Allah  !  "  he  sobbed. 

So  absorbed  was  he,  he  did  not  notice  Murad  as,  with 
a  sulky  crestfallen  air,  he  arose,  shook  himself  like  a 
dog,  brushed  the  dust  from  his  uniform,  and  com 
menced  to  consider  his  bruises.  How  surprised  was 
the  latter  to  see  Hassan,  after  his  long  and  earnest 
study  of  the  precious  amulet,  which  had  been  the  cause 
of  so  much  trouble,  suddenly,  with  a  violent  gesture 
and  loud  imprecation,  dash  it  on  the  floor,  evidently 
intending  to  crush  it  into  pieces  beneath  the  heel  of 
his  boot. 

There  seemed  to  be  a  fatality  about  it,  for  when 
Hassan  proceeded,  in  his  hopeless  grief  and  indigna 
tion,  to  carry  out  his  intention  of  trampling  it  into 
fragments,  it  was  not  to  be  seen.  It  had  rebounded 
and  disappeared;  and,  though  he  diligently  searched 
for  it,  he  could  not  find  it. 

"Where  can  it  be?  It  must  be  somewhere  here,"  he 
said,  provoked. 

"It  is  bewitched,"  said  Murad.  "Or  it  does  not 
intend  thee  to  have  it,"  he  added,  with  a  sarcastic  smile. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  441 

"  It  has  gone  to  Shaitan,  where  it  belongs ! "  ex 
claimed  Hassan. 

Ah,  had  he  but  known  the  truth,  how  differently 
he  would  have  spoken  and  felt !  How  he  would  have 
searched  for  that  little  boss  of  nacre,  as  the  pearl  of 
great  price,  till  he  had  found  it,  — and  how  passionately 
he  would  have  cherished  it,  all  his  life !  But  it  seemed 
to  be  as  Murad  had  said  —  it  was  bewitched  —  there 
was  a  fatality  about  it. 

Perhaps  the  soothsayers,  or  diviners  of  the  occult 
would  have  declared  it  was  all  due  to  what  had  tran 
spired  in  a  moment  of  time  —  at  the  making  of  it  —  that 
instant  when  the  tool  slipped  and  marred  the  starry 
emblem.  For  there  are  those  who  still  believe  that 
the  little  while  in  which  the  translucent  drop  is  fall 
ing  in  the  clepsydra  —  that  starveling  present  of  ours, 
the  infinitesimal  sparklet-flash  of  time  which  marks  the 
apparent  segregation  of  soul  and  its  entrance  into  the 
individual,  the  trembling  flicker  of  the  shadow  of 
the  stylus  cast  on  the  unbounded  dial  of  the  universe, 
which  denotes  when  anything  is  made  or  done,  — an 
eternity  behind  it,  an  eternity  before  it,  eternity 
surrounding  it,  —  that  this  defines  and  influences  all 
the  future  of  that  being  or  thing.  They  point  us  to 
"an  hour's  defect  of  the  rose";  the  injury,  through  a 
little  insect,  to  the  acorn,  which  cankers  the  coming 
oak  from  its  very  heart,  and  dwarfs  or  deforms  it  for 
ever;  and  to  a  multitude  of  similar  facts. 

However  this  may  be,  certain  it  is  that  the  inani 
mate  things  of  this  world  of  ours  have  often  a  strange 
and  unaccountable  relation  and  influence  with  reference 
to  man  and  his  life,  though  we  are  given  to  treating 
the  matter  contemptuously,  and  calling  belief  in  it 
superstition.  Has  not  a  certain  great  writer  admitted 
that  there  is  an  innate  depravity  in  inanimate  objects 
which  is  beyond  explanation? 


442  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


CHAPTER    XL 

treads  upon  the  heels  of  another  woe. 
Hath  it  not  passed  into  a  proverb  that  mis 
fortune  cometh  not  alone  ?" 

So  spake  Hassan  in  the  bitterness  of  his  soul. 

The  cruellest  thing  that  can  befall  man  had  happened 
to  him.  He  had  lost  a  believing  heart.  In  all  that  he 
had  gone  through,  in  all  the  troubles  he  had  suffered 
hitherto,  this  had  been  left  him  to  sustain  and  support 
him.  But  now  —  now  he  was  indeed  alone. 

All  the  rest  of  that  fateful  day  he  was  in  a  turmoil  of 
distress.  He  performed  his  duties  perfunctorily,  as 
if  in  a  dream.  He  did  not  know,  half  the  time,  what 
he  was  doing.  His  comrades  noticed  his  abstraction, 
but  they  said  nothing.  They  had  long  learned  to 
respect  his  strength,  if  nothing  more;  and  with  some 
of  them  there  was  a  kindlier  feeling  —  they  had  begun 
to  like  and  love  him. 

At  last  the  night  fell  with  its  moonless  darkness  and 
its  sleepy  stillness  born  of  exhaustion.  But  it  brought 
him  no  relief.  It  was  for  him  a  continual  nightmare 
—  a  rhapsody  of  horror  with  persistent  variations  on 
the  same  cruel  theme. 

What  efforts  he  made  to  free  himself  from  the  ser 
pent  coil  that  was  strangling  him !  At  intervals  he 
told  himself  he  might  be  mistaken  —  that  there  was 
still  hope.  He  almost  believed  it,  he  longed  so  that 
it  might  be  true.  Then  he  cursed  himself  for  duping 
himself.  It  was  hoping  against  hope.  It  was  tamper 
ing  with  the  great  Libra,  whose  balance-beam,  stand 
ing  immutably  level  in  the  highest  heaven,  is  forever 
the  measure  of  Supreme  justice.  The  terrible  strain 
towards  the  close  when,  from  the  height  of  the  glad 
certainty  he  had  clasped  at  the  beginning,  he  was 
dashed  down  into  the  black  vortex  of  despair,  when  it 
at  last  appeared  that  all  must  be  given  up,  seemed  too 
much  for  mortal  flesh  to  endure. 

How  long  he  had  hoped.     Yet  in  the  midst  of  his 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  443 

phantom  hopes  he  had  tried  to  be  prepared  for  the 
worst,  and,  in  spite  of  appearances,  had  often  told 
himself  he  must  not  be  too  sure.  But  he  deceived 
himself.  The  unbelievable  had  happened.  How 
could  he  or  any  other  man  be  prepared,  in  such  a  case? 
It  was  impossible  for  him  to  school  himself  so  thor 
oughly  as  to  be  ready  to  resign,  utterly  and  in  a 
moment,  that  which  he  had  so  earnestly  striven  for, 
which  he  held  within  his  grasp,  and  which  permeated 
every  fibre  of  his  being.  Poor  flesh  and  blood,  must 
you  be  lifted  up  into  the  form  of  man  to  have  "the 
question"  put  with  inquisitorial  torture?  Must,  too, 
the  soul  as  well  as  the  body  be  racked  and  riven  ? 

The  dread  revulsion  came.  It  was  as  if  some  one 
had  smitten  him  on  the  face  while  he  was  too  weak  to 
raise  his  hand  to  protect  himself.  Then  the  sickening 
fainting  of  the  heart,  when  all  must  be  acknowledged 

—  the  sinking,  gone  sensation.     He  knew  not  where  he 
was,  or  what  to  do.     He  was  bewildered  —  lost. 

Where  was  his  religion  —  Islam,  Resignation? 

Like  many  another,  he  did  not  turn  to  it  till  he  had 
reached  the  lowest  pass.  Then  he  bethought  him  of 
the  words  he  had  often  said  to  himself  in  time  of 
trouble:  "Despair  is  infidelity. "  A  voice  within  him 
seemed  to  speak  to  him,  —  seemed  to  call  from  out  his 
soul  and  say:  "There  is  never  a  road  as  long  as  that 

—  never  a  road  nor  a  place  where  the  man  cannot  turn 
to  God,  and  recognise  and  call  upon  Him  as  his  Father, 
his  Begetter,  his  Creator,   the  one  altogether  respon 
sible   for   his   being  —  He  who    laid   his    foundations 
from  the  beginning,  and  who  knows  all  his  parts,  his 
strengths  and  his  weaknesses,  as  none  other  can  know 
them.     Love    is   the  first  and  fear  the   last  thing  to 
think  of  in  such  a  relation." 

When  the  morning  came,  as  it  inevitably  must  and 
did  come,  it  found  Hassan,  to  outward  appearance, 
much  as  other  men  are.  He  heard  the  drum-taps,  the 
bugle  sounded ;  he  yawned,  and  turned,  and  stretched 
his  great  limbs  (how  strong  and  wholesome  he  was!); 
he  sprang  out  of  bed  and,  one  of  a  number,  began  to 
dress.  The  washing  of  himself,  and  the  putting  on 


444  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

the  rest  of  his  clothing  and  uniform  were  promptly 
and  quickly  done.  He  was  at  last  in  shape,  topped  off 
with  red  fez.  He  turned  out  on  time  with  the  others 
for  inspection  and  parade,  and  was  at  once  under  duty 
and  orders.  All  was  routine  once  more.  Nothing  un 
common  was  observable  about  him.  He  was  again  a 
machine,  and  went  through  all  the  motions  and  evo 
lutions  as  usual  with  satisfaction.  The  poor  bur 
dened  body  carried  the  aching  heart  well,  and  helped 
to  keep  his  secret.  He  was  only  a  little  pale. 

"What  of  that,"  was  the  careless  jest.  "Many  a 
stout  man  is  pale  after  a  night's  debauch." 

As  the  current  of  the  day  flowed  on  he  floated  with 
it.  He  was  with  the  others,  his  comrades,  and  did 
as  they  did.  He  heard  their  coarse,  and  often  broad 
and  unseemly  talk.  They  illustrated  it  with  many  apt 
instances.  He  pondered. 

"  It  was  the  old  story,"  one  said.  They  were  talking 
about  women.  "Was  it  not  so  from  the  beginning? 
The  man  was  not  so  much  to  blame.  The  woman 
tempted  him.  Poor  beguiled  fellow,  what  could  he 
do?  Ah,  Eva,  Eva!" 

Hassan,  hitherto,  on  such  occasions,  had  generally 
been  silent,  or  had  taken  the  opposite  side.  In  telling 
their  prurient  stories  they  had  received  no  assistance 
from  him.  And  now  he  remained  grave,  and  said  but 
little,  till  they  gradually  drew  him  out,  and  compelled 
him  to  break  his  reticence. 

"Yes,  it  is  true,"  he  said.  "They  are  all  daughters 
of  Eva  and  Delilah.  Deceitful  beyond  imagination, 
who  could  know  them  ?  Not  the  wisest  man.  Did 
they  not  lead  astray  and  pervert  Suleyman  the  Wise 
and  Samson  the  strong?  A  man  is  helpless  as  a  child 
before  them." 

The  cynical  word  spoken,  a  flood  of  vituperation  fol 
lowed.  It  was  like  the  letting-out  of  water  long  pent 
up,  and  flowed  apace.  In  his  wrath  he  said  more  than 
he  intended  or  believed :  had  he  not  heard  those  who 
knew  say  thus  and  so?  Yea,  had  he  not  known,  of  his 
own  experience  ? 

Then,    naturally,   his    mind    reverted   to    his  recent 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  44 £ 

encounter  with  Murad.  He  could  scarcely  avoid  apply 
ing  the  doctrine  of  woman's  corrupt  power  to  his  own 
case.  And,  as  he  silently  reviewed  the  facts  and  the 
details  in  the  premises,  and  thought  of  how  severely 
he  had  punished  Murad,  and  how  the  fellow  since  had 
gone  limping,  and  that  he  might  have  been  killed, 
moreover  that  he  had  never  made  complaint,  a  strange 
feeling  almost  approaching  sympathy  or  pity  towards 
the  man  who,  he  conceived,  had  robbed  him  of  love 
and  honour,  arose  within  him. 

"After  all,  he  was  not  so  much  to  blame,"  solilo 
quised  Hassan.  "  How  could  an  exception  be  made  in 
his  disfavour?  Surely  it  could  not.  It  would  not  be 
just.  It  was  with  Murad  as  with  others.  He  had 
been  tempted.  He  was  no  worse  than  other  men. 
Besides  he  did  not  know  the  gravity  of  his  offence.  It 
was  the  woman  who  had  committed  the  great  wrong, 
who  had  violated  the  most  sacred  relationship,  who 
had  sinned  against  love  and  every  instinct  of  truth, 
faith  and  purity." 

Yes,  it  was  quite  plain.  As  Hassan  brooded  over  it, 
his  indignation  rose  to  such  a  pitch  against  her,  piling 
up,  mountain  high,  the  iniquity  of  which  she  had  been 
guilty,  that  he  felt  the  sin  of  Murad  was  comparatively 
insignificant. 

In  this  mood  he  caught  sight  of  the  crippled  man, 
who  was  at  a  little  distance,  and  with  a  sudden  impulse 
went  up  to  him. 

Seeing  Hassan  approach,  Murad's  pride  was  touched; 
it  galled  him  to  have  it  appear  how  hurt  he  was,  and 
he  tried  to  conceal  the  limp  with  which  he  was  still 
afflicted,  drawing  himself  up  in  as  erect  a  carriage  as, 
under  the  circumstances,  he  could  assume.  Expecting 
his  conqueror  to  go  by  without  speaking,  he  stood  aside, 
well  out  of  the  way. 

When  Hassan  perceived  the  battered  shape  and  un 
happy  condition  of  him  who  so  recently  had  been  his 
close  friend  and  pleasant  companion,  with  whom  he 
had  spent  many  an  agreeable  hour,  an  added  pang  of 
regret  smote  him,  and  quickened  his  footsteps. 

Murad,  having  in  his  person  but  too  many  reminders 


446  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

of  Hassan's  onslaught  upon  him,  viewed  this  sudden 
approach  of  his  powerful  comrade  with  grave  suspicion. 
It  could  surely  bode  him  no  good,  he  thought;  and  his 
hand  involuntarily  sought  his  weapon. 

"Does  he  come  to  finish  me?"  he  muttered. 

But  Hassan's  friendly  salutation  soon  disabused 
Murad's  mind. 

Though  unprepared  for  this  turn  of  affairs,  through 
force  of  habit  Murad  mechanically  returned  the 
salutation. 

"  Ah,  thou  art  hurt,  Murad !  I  am  sorry,  and  ashamed 
of  myself.  I  did  not  think  it  was  so  serious.  I  acted 
like  a  brute.  I  have  hurt  thee  badly." 

"Nay,  it  is  nothing,"  replied  Murad,  in  a  rather 
gruff  voice;  for,  mentally  and  physically,  he  yet  felt 
sore  at  the  result  of  their  encounter,  though  he  would 
not  acknowledge  it. 

"  It  was  close  work,  and  called  out  my  utmost 
strength,"  said  Hassan.  "I  gave  thee  more  than  I 
otherwise  would  have  done.  A  weaker  man  would 
have  escaped.  Thou  art  a  fierce  fighter. " 

"Thou  didst  attack  me  without  any  cause,"  said 
Murad.  "I  spake  to  thee  as  one  friend  to  another; 
and  suddenly,  without  reason,  or  the  least  provoca 
tion,  thou  calledst  me  by  such  vile  names  as  no  man 
could  bear  —  as  if  I  were  a  dog,  or  the  dirt  beneath  thy 
feet. " 

Hassan  hung  his  head.  His  face  coloured.  He 
could  not  explain. 

"I  have  done  wrong;  I  come  to  apologise,"  he 
answered,  after  a  short  interval.  "  Forgive  me.  I  am 
sorry.  I  knew  not  what  I  did.  Let  us  say  no  more 
about  it.  Have  I  not  told  thee  I  repent  of  it? " 

"  Yea,  yea.     Did  I  hurt  thee  much  ?  " 

"Thou  gavest  me  all  I  could  do.  But  I  escaped 
well." 

Murad  took  Hassan's  proffered  hand,  and  together 
they  walked  to  the  rough  quarters. 

"Thou  seest  I  am  slightly  lame,"  now  remarked 
Murad  confidentially,  ready  and  willing  to  be  recon 
ciled  to  his  formidable  friend. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  447 

The  stout  fellow  strutted  along,  trying  to  hide  the 
defect  with  his  swagger,  in  which  he  was  not  very 
successful. 

"It  is  unfortunate.      I  am  much  to  blame." 

"  Oh  it  is  but  a  trifle  !  I  shall  be  all  right  in  a  day 
or  two." 

"  Thou  hast  been  my  best  friend,  Murad.  Thou  hast 
opened  my  eyes.  Why  should  I  refuse  to  acknowledge 
it?  I  have  acted  like  a  fool." 

Murad  did  not  understand  these  words.  But  as  he 
was  conscious  of  having  deceived  Hassan,  though  not 
with  evil  intent,  he  remained  silent,  anxious  to  smooth 
matters.  Quite  ignorant  of  the  mischief  he  had 
wrought,  he  saw  no  reason  why  he  should  confess  as  to 
the  mythical  character  of  the  love-affair  he  had  painted 
in  such  glowing  colours.  And  surely  he  would  not 
wish  to  say  it  was  all  a  falsehood.  His  pride  forbade. 

About  this  time  it  was  rumoured  among  the  soldiers 
that  Hassan  had  a  most  ungovernable  temper  when  ex 
cited,  —  that  without  any  special  provocation  he  would 
give  free  sweep  to  it,  and  woe  be  to  the  man  who  then 
came  in  his  way,  or  offended  him.  Others  said  he 
was  changed  in  his  nature. 

"He  is  not  the  same  man  he  was  a  while  ago,"  was 
how  they  expressed  it. 

Chalil,  who  knew  him  so  well,  noticed  the  change, 
though  he  imagined  not  the  cause.  Hassan  maintained 
an  unbroken  silence  on  the  subject,  which  Chalil 
respected,  and  assigned  the  peculiarity  to  some  of  the 
minor  cares  and  evils  which  have  the  habit  of  attacking 
mankind  too  often  to  be  made  the  subject  of  remark. 
Besides,  Chalil  had  sorrows  of  his  own.  Men  have 
certain  troubles  which  they  generally  have  self-respect 
enough  to  keep  to  themselves. 

When  Chalil  met  Hassan,  the  latter  now  never  men 
tioned  Hilwe's  name,  which  was  rather  a  relief  to  the 
former.  Hassan  was  a  brave  man ;  but,  as  we  have 
seen,  on  this  subject  he  was  sensitive  and  timid  to 
cowardice. 

"  Hast  thou  heard  from  our  country  ? "  Chalil  once 
asked  him. 


448  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"Nay,"  Hassan  replied.  "I  have  written  thrice; 
but  have  not  heard.  I  now  do  not  expect  to  hear." 

"They  are  not  accustomed  to  writing." 

This  was  said  apologetically  by  Chalil,  who  himself 
was  no  scribe,  and  who  began  to  think  Hassan's  sad 
ness  was  connected  with  his  not  hearing  from  home. 

"  Yea ;  they  are  not  accustomed  to  writing, "  mechani 
cally  repeated  Hassan  with  a  sigh. 

Up  in  the  mountains  he  felt  happier.  He  seemed 
to  have  left  his  sad  thoughts  behind,  on  the  plain. 
Away  —  alone  —  or  comparatively  alone  —  it  was  the 
next  thing  to  freedom.  Those  "everlasting  hills" 
had  taught  him  many  a  lesson.  They,  too,  had  re 
minded  him  of  many  a  piece  of  wisdom  he  had  learned 
on  the  hillsides  in  Palestine,  and  had  soothed  his  heart 
in  his  bitterest  moments.  The  incursions  into  the 
upland  plains  and  highlands  required  much  caution  and 
endurance,  and  often  long  watching  and  patient  wait 
ing.  But  Hassan's  shepherd  life  had  inured  him  to 
this. 

The  wild  animals  and  birds  were  a  joy  to  him.  He 
made  the  acquaintance  of  many  a  flower  and  herb 
pleasant  to  the  eye,  or  of  kindly  use.  Among  the 
latter  was  that  much-esteemed  vulnerary  of  ancient 
fame,  the  dittany,  which  grows  so  abundantly  on 
Mount  Ida  and  Mount  Dicte,  and  with  which  the 
classic  heroes  healed  their  wounds,  in  which  our  modern 
heroes  followed  their  example.  This  is  the  plant  of 
which,  as  Virgil  tells  us,  the  wild  goats  eat  when  they 
are  shot  with  darts,  — apparently  instructed  of  Nature. 

Hassan,  too,  was  wounded  —  smitten  to  the  heart; 
but,  alas !  his  was  a  wound  no  dittany  that  ever  grew 
could  heal.  Yet  he  could  well  believe  the  marvellous 
stories  told  of  the  renowned  plant,  its  valuable  quali 
ties  and  high  virtues;  and  he  was  certain  he  had  per 
ceived  the  sprays  of  leaves  and  large  white  or  rose- 
coloured  blossoms  exhale  a  fragrant  volatile  air,  so 
inflammable  that  it  flashed  like  a  beam  of  light  in  the 
darkness. 

"This  is  to  guide  the  wounded  creature  to  them  in 
the  night,"  Hassan  had  said,  in  his  simplicity. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  449 

It  is  not  difficult  to  see  and  to  believe  such  things, 
and  stranger  things  than  these,  when  abiding  in  lonely 
boundless  places  —  away  from  the  haunts  of  men  — 
where  the  senses  are  attuned  to  a  finer  use. 

Hassan's  being  able  to  read  and  write,  not  to  men 
tion  his  lingual  accomplishments,  united  with  his 
activity  and  valour,  had  been  appreciated,  and  finally 
had  produced  results  in  his  favour,  gradually  working 
his  promotion.  It  came  slowly  —  very  slowly;  but  how 
welcome  it  was ! 

With  his  natural  faculty  of  acquiring  languages,  he 
had  added  not  a  few  Greek  words  to  his  vocabulary  — 
Greek  being  the  language  chiefly  spoken  in  the  island 
— >and  soon  he  could  make  himself  understood  by  the 
natives  in  communicating  with  them. 

He  had  learning,  scanty  as  it  was,  which  some  of  the 
officers  in  command  of  him  lacked.  They  therefore 
were  glad  to  fall  back  on  him  occasionally,  and  take 
advantage  of  the  young  soldier's  knowledge.  In  this 
way  as  well  as  in  other  ways  he  was  made  use  of  in 
various  emergencies,  on  special  expeditions. 

It  was  an  interesting  sight  to  see  him,  mounted  on 
horseback  —  his  bronze,  sheath-like  inkstand  or  ink- 
holder  with  its  writing  reeds  thrust  into  his  sash  — 
rapidly  inditing  some  important  communication,  the 
paper  held  corner-wise  on  his  hand,  Arabic  fashion. 

He  distinguished  himself  in  several  fiercely-fought 
skirmishes  with  the  Sphakiots  —  foemen  worthy  of  his 
steel,  whom  it  was  almost  impossible  to  dislodge  from 
their  fastnesses  in  the  hills.  Those  strong  piercing 
eyes  of  his  had  the  courage  and  the  vengeance  of  the 
old  Canaanite  gods  in  them,  and  were  as  a  flame  of  fire 
going  before  him  and  terrifying  the  hearts  of  his 
enemies. 

Are  not  the  gods  of  every  people  composed  of  the 
qualities  they  admire  in  their  great  men? 

But  every  one  who  knew  Hassan  said  he  was  a  changed 
being. 

"He  is  daring  to  recklessness,"  they  said,  "and  sets 
no  value  on  his  life." 

About  this  time  a  fair,   low-browed  Greek  woman, 

29 


450  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

with  eyes  of  heavenly  blue,  moved  across  the  scene. 
It  was  no  more,  or  but  little  more,  than  that. 

Hassan  perhaps  smiled  upon  her  —  went  with  her. 
Is  it  any  wonder?  She  made  herself  as  a  devouring 
flame  of  beauty  for  him. 

"Is  he  not  as  other  men?"  she  said.  "I  shall  have 
him." 

But  notwithstanding  his  supposed  wrong  at  Hilwe's 
hands,  he  thought  of  her,  his  first  and  only  love,  and 
in  his  heart  he  was  true,  and  gave  himself  not  away. 

Murad  went  wild  over  the  stately  Greek,  and  raved 
about  the  tall  golden-haired  woman,  and  ridiculed 
Hassan  for  his  constancy  toward  an  absent  ideal.  But 
it  was  of  no  use.  Hassan  was  at  heart  unmoved.  A 
man  cannot  explain,  even  to  himself,  some  of  the  sim 
plest  acts  of  his  own  nature  —  that  dominant  one,  who 
will  have  her  own  way  in  spite  of  everything. 

Murad  was  comparatively  as  naught  to  the  beautiful 
Greek  when  she  looked  on  Hassan.  She  would  have 
given  her  soul  to  gain  the  handsome  giant. 

"Is  he  not  formed  like  one  of  our  ancient  Olympic 
gods  ?  "  she  said.  "  I  could  die  for  such  a  man  !  " 

Without  him  she  felt  incomplete,  neglected,  and 
mocked  at  by  her  own  beauty  that  had  failed  to  enthral 
him,  binding  him,  helpless,  heart  and  soul,  as  she 
wanted  him,  in  fetters  at  her  feet. 


CHAPTER   XLI 

WHEN  next  Kadra  visited  Hilwe  in  her  hiding- 
place  in  the  Valley  of  Ain  Karim,  which  was 
but  a  few  days  after  her  last  visit,  there  was  that  in  the 
face  and  manner  of  the  "wise  woman"  which  at  once 
revealed  that  all  was  not  well.  She  scarce  could  con 
tain  herself  as  she  went  through  the  customary  long 
salutations. 

"Woe  is  me!"  she  said,  "how  shall  I  tell  thee? 
or  how  shall  my  lips  speak  it?  Better  had  I  been  born 
dumb,  so  that  thoushouldst  not  have  heard  it." 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  451 

"  I  beseech  thee,  Kadra,  for  the  sake  of  the  love 
between  us,  to  tell  me.  I  perceive  thy  mind  is 
troubled  with  something.  Hide  nothing  from  me.  I 
can  bear  it." 

As  Hilwe  spoke,  Kadra  had  fallen  upon  her  neck 
and  was  weeping  bitterly. 

"Yea,  Hilwe,  thou  needs  must  know.  Nor  can  I 
withhold  it  from  thee.  Amne  is  dead !  " 

"Is  dead?" 

"  Alas,  it  is  true !  They  have  slain  her.  The  cruel 
and  wicked  men  of  Malha  have  done  her  to  death. 
They  have  destroyed  her  and  her  little  one.  And  they 
that  are  nearest  to  her  of  her  people  were  the  leaders, 
and  were  foremost  in  the  work. " 

Hilwe  had  laid  her  little  Talmai  aside;  but  now 
that  she  heard  these  terrible  words,  she  took  him  in 
her  arms,  and  folded  him  to  her  breast. 

"  Oh !  how  could  they  do  it  ?  "  she  said.  "  I  can 
scarce  believe  it." 

"Thou  mayest  well  say  that,  Hilwe.  Even  now  I 
ask  myself,  Can  it  all  be  true?  But  it  all  is  true  — 
too  true." 

"  How  did  they  find  her?  And  how  did  they  capture 
her?" 

Both  the  women,  clasped  in  each  other's  arms,  were 
trembling  and  weeping  as  Kadra  answered,  resuming 
her  weird  relation. 

"  It  seems  the  stranger  Giaour  who  had  taken  Amne 
to  be  with  him,  and  who  was  kind  and  good  to  her,  for 
she  wanted  for  nothing,  was  a  young  man  of  high  birth, 
a  nobleman,  and  had  much  riches.  I  say  not  this  to 
excuse  her,  nor  to  justify  that  in  her  which  was  wrong. 
The  man  went  on  a  long  journey,  intending  to  be 
gone  many  days ;  and  this  was  the  time  taken  by  the 
men  of  Malha  for  the  capture  of  Amne. 

"  They  had  tracked  her  out  long  before,  and  more 
than  once  had  tried  to  abduct  her  without  succeeding. 
But  this  time,  under  pretence  that  some  one  of  her 
folk  at  Malha  was  sick  unto  death  and  calling  for  her, 
they  persuaded  her  to  go  with  them.  This  they  did 
with  great  secrecy  and  cunning.  Taking  her  child, 


45 2  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

she  went,  without  suspecting  their  purpose,  and  expect 
ing  to  return  immediately. " 

"Ah,  how  cruel!  —  how  wicked!"  exclaimed  Hihve. 

"Yea;  but  what  couldst  thou  look  for  from  them? 
They  never  took  her  to  Malha.  That  is  certain.  They 
probably  hid  her  in  one  of  their  caves.  Who  knows  ? 
The  rest  was  told  by  Nigme,  —  the  despised  Nigme, 
Abd-el-nour's  wife.  As  thou  knowest,  her  mind  of 
late  has  never  been  clear,  and  since  this  it  is  worse 
than  ever." 

It  seemed,  from  Kadra's  narration,  that  Nigme, 
wandering  off  in  search  of  brush  for  fuel,  had  gone  out 
of  her  way,  and  found  herself  within  the  borders  of  the 
Black  Wady. 

This  spot,  a  desolate  hollow  among  barren  rocks,  has 
a  most  forbidding  aspect.  Tradition  associates  it  with 
indescribable  horrors  and  misfortunes,  and  peoples  it 
with  malevolent  sprites,  the  jinns  and  ghouls;  so  that 
it  is  generally  avoided  by  the  superstitious  fellaheen, 
who,  in  coming  and  going,  are  apt  to  give  it  a  wide 
berth,  especially  at  night. 

Before  apprehending  where  she  was,  Nigme  perceived 
she  was  close  to  a  group  of  men,  who  had  with  them  a 
young  woman  and  a  child.  The  woman  was  evidently 
in  great  distress,  and  pleaded  piteously  from  time  to 
time  with  the  men,  who  treated  her  with  unrelenting 
harshness. 

Terrified  at  the  position  in  which  she  found  herself, 
and  identifying  the  young  woman  as  Amne,  and  the 
other  members  of  the  group  as  men  of  Malha,  Nigme 
hid  herself  behind  a  mass  of  rock,  from  where,  without 
being  seen,  she  could  watch  their  proceedings.  She 
clung  to  the  rocks,  overwhelmed  with  fear,  realising 
the  unholy  action  of  these  men  and  that,  should  they 
discover  her  spying  on  them,  they  would  surely  slay 
her  rather  than  that  she  should  escape  with  their 
secret.  Her  strength  left  her,  so  that  she  could 
scarcely  move. 

They  had  been  digging  a  pit-like  hole,  in  which  task 
they  had  spelled  each  other,  and  now  were  rapidly 
completing  the  work.  The  entire  scene  had  an  omin- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  453 

ous    meaning    that,    beyond    words,    was   ghastly  and 
inhuman. 

Seated  with  her  son  upon  an  adjacent  ledge  of  rock, 
Amne  continued  to  entreat  them  to  have  pity  upon 
her. 

"Let  me  and  my  child  go,"  she  pleaded;  "we  shall 
never  again  trouble  you.  Into  whatever  land  you  send 
us  we  will  depart.  Our  faces  shall  never  more  be  seen 
of  you.  In  a  far-off  country  we  shall  be  strangers 
among  strangers.  Let  our  names  be  blotted  out  of 
remembrance." 

"Ask  the  winds,  — cry  unto  the  rocks  to  help  thee. 
They  will  hear  and  deliver  thee  sooner  than  thou  canst 
move  us  from  our  purpose,"  was  their  reply.  "Thy 
lover,  the  Giaour  who  humbled  thee,  hath  deserted 
thee.  He  hath  forsaken  thee,  and  cast  thee  off;  and 
Allah  hath  given  thee  into  our  hands  to  deal  with  thee 
according  to  thy  deserts." 

"O  Allah!  have  I  sinned  against  thee? "  she  cried. 
"And  is  this  my  punishment?  Wilt  thou  be  wroth 
with  such  a  poor  creature  as  I  am,  to  inflict  such 
misery  and  agony  upon  me,  and  to  permit  me  to  fall 
into  the  power  of  the  destroyers  ?  Have  mercy  !  Or, 
if  I  have  sinned,  what  evil  hath  this  little  child  done 
that  he  should  suffer?" 

The  words  were  uttered  in  a  wailing,  despairing 
voice,  like  the  cry  of  the  hunted  creature  tracked  to  its 
lair,  from  which  there  is  no  escape.  It  was  a  prayer, 
though  she  knew  it  not.  It  was  an  appeal  to  God 
from  the  wrath  of  the  cruel  men  who  held  her.  She 
had  expostulated  with  her  obdurate  persecutors  till  her 
voice  had  become  strangely,  unnaturally  hoarse,  and 
strained  with  the  anguish  of  her  torment.  They  heeded 
her  not. 

"Hold  thy  peace!"  they  said.  "Thou  mayest  as 
well.  Thy  doom  is  fixed.  That  which  is  written  of 
thee  shall  be  accomplished." 

They  had  determined  from  the  first  on  their  course, 
and  were  not  to  be  dissuaded  from  it.  There  was  no 
pity  for  her  in  their  savage  breasts. 

Long  before  had  they  taken  from  her  her  ornaments 


454  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

and  the  costly  raiment  —  the  robe  of  her  shame,  as 
they  called  it  —  in  which  they  had  captured  her,  and 
had  put  upon  her  other  and  despicable  apparel.  She 
wore  the  shabby  garments  of  the  poorest  peasant. 
She  had  been  humiliated  repeatedly,  in  numerous 
ways. 

The  hole  they  had  dug  for  her  was  deep  and  narrow. 
It  gaped  darkly  before  her.  She  shivered  as  she  saw 
it.  She,  who  had  been  so  full  of  warm,  bounding  life 
and  love,  —  how  could  she  reconcile  herself  to  it? 

It  did  not  lessen  the  horror,  that  she  knew  her  fate 
—  saw  it  prepared  for  her. 

A  certain  preconcerted  signal  was  given.  They 
tore  her  child  from  her  clinging  arms.  In  an  instant 
they  had  seized  her  and  plunged  her  into  the  earth. 
Her  struggles  were  as  nothing  in  their  powerful  grasp. 
They  filled  in  the  soil  about  her  deliberately.  Their 
stern,  implacable  attitude  was  appalling;  it  was  as 
paralysing  as  it  was  devilish. 

She  was  buried  up  to  her  neck  in  the  dark  and 
narrow  pit. 

They  did  not  content  themselves  with  this.  They 
assailed  her  with  grim  mockery: 

"Thou  didst  think  to  go  delicately  all  thy  life, 
while  thy  reproach  lay  upon  us  to  disgrace  us.  Ah, 
by  Allah,  that  may  not  be !  It  did  not  satisfy  thee  to 
give  thyself  up  to  ordinary  wantonness.  Thou  must 
make  thyself  notoriously  abominable.  Thou  must  suf 
fer  a  dog  of  a  Giaour  to  humble  thee.  The  dishonour 
must  be  blotted  out.  There  is  but  one  way,  as  thou 
well  knowest.  And  this  base-born  thing  —  the  child  of 
shamefulness,  the  spawn  of  the  Giaour  —  shall  perish 
with  thee." 

They  took  the  little  one,  stripping  the  simple  clothes 
from  him  till  he  was  naked. 

He  was  a  beautiful  boy,  such  as  would  gladden 
any  mother's  heart.  Poor  Amne  had  worshipped 
and  petted  him.  Though  he  was  naturally  patient 
and  quiet,  their  rough  treatment  made  him  fret  and 
whimper.  The  love  that  is  greater  than  all  love  but 
one,  stirred  in  her  bleeding  heart,  and  out  of  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


455 


midst  of  her  wretchedness  she  called  him  by  a  pet 
name  and  tried  to  comfort  him.  He  stretched  eagerly 
his  tiny  hands  to  her,  his  faithful  protector  • —  no 
longer  able  to  protect. 

She  had  shed  her  last  tears.  Her  burning  eyes  were 
dry  as  a  potsherd,  and  staring  wildly  with  horror. 
Every  moment  she  expected  to  have  the  life  crushed 
out  of  her.  But  when  she  saw  her  child  in  such  peril, 
all  her  motherly  instinct  cried  aloud.  She  wrenched 
her  imprisoned  arms  loose,  with  a  power  that  in  her 
state  seemed  superhuman  • —  with  the  last  fainting 
energies  of  her  being  she  reached  out  to  her  child, 
imploringly,  those  bruised  and  torn  limbs  that  so  often 
had  fondled  him. 

"Do  as  thou  wilt  with  me!"  she  cried  —  "kill  me! 
but  spare  the  child!  He  will  grow  up  with  the  flocks 
and  herds.  He  will  be  no  more  to  thee  than  a  kid  of 
the  pasture.  Spare  him,  for  the  love  of  Allah  ! " 

All  was  in  vain.  He  who  was  drawn  by  lot  to  do 
the  accursed  deed,  ruthlessly  seized  the  child,  and, 
before  the  eyes  of  the  hapless  mother,  dashed  out  its 
brains  against  the  rocks. 

Then,  from  that  forlorn  mother  went  out  such  a  cry 
as  those  hills  and  valleys  had  never  heard  since  the 
Christ  in  his  awful  redemptive  passion  had  yielded  up 
the  ghost. 

There  were  no  other  words  —  there  could  be  none. 
Her  life  and  her  soul  had  gone  out  into  her  child  to 
suffer  with  him.  She  was  already  as  one  that  is  all 
but  dead. 

The  self-appointed  executioners,  standing  around, 
armed  with  fragments  of  rock,  prepared  to  stone  her  to 
death,  commencing  with  the  chief  accuser,  hurled  them 
in  succession  upon  her.  Her  feeble  hand  went  up 
involuntarily,  —  it  was  but  Nature's  protest.  She  knew 
not  what  she  did.  There  was  one  wild  shriek,  and  all 
was  over. 

An  almost  simultaneous  cry  went  up  from  the  dis 
traught  Nigme,  who  could  no  longer  restrain  it.  The 
men,  hearing  this,  were  alarmed,  and  looked  around 
on  all  sides  suspiciously. 


456  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"Some  one  answers  her  cry,"  said  a  Malhaite. 

"Nay,  it  is  but  the  echo,"  said  another. 

"Rather  it  is  the  jinn  waiting  for  her,"  said  a 
third. 

There  was  not  an  expression  of  regret.  None  said, 
"Alas,  my  sister! " 

The  merciless  deed  was  done.  The  head  that  had 
been  carried  so  daintily  had  all  its  beauty  —  all  sem 
blance  of  humanity  crushed  out  of  it. 

Light  of  light,  God  of  grace,  can  such  things  be 
permitted  of  thee?  Canst  thou  look  down  and  let 
them  be  perpetrated?  And  can  human  beings  be  so 
cruel?  Can  human  nature  be  without  compassion, 
tears,  or  feeling?  How  could  it  heap  such  misery  on 
a  poor,  frail  creature,  its  own  flesh  and  blood,  that, 
without  ruth  or  pity  or  relenting  touch  of  mercy,  it 
would  rive  the  soul  out  of  the  helpless,  trembling  body, 
powerless  to  resist,  in  the  outer  darkness  of  hopeless 
ness,  and  not  even  spare  the  infant  at  the  breast? 

One  of  another  race  and  creed,  once  looking  down 
upon  the  forbidding,  savage  desolation  of  the  spot, 
intensified  by  the  deed  of  blood,  the  hideous  secret 
which  it  held  in  its  gloomy  bosom,  —  it  seemed  to  him 
the  exponent  of  the  ancient  direful  thought  —  ("  Is  it 
not  written  ?  "  he  said)  —  "  Happy  shall  he  be  that 
taketh  and  dasheth  thy  little  ones  against  the  stones." 
"  Is  it  not  written  in  the  sacred  book  ?  "  he  asked,  and 
to  himself  made  answer:  "Yea,  and  more  the  pity.  It 
never  was  in  God's  heart.  The  old  Hebrew  had  in 
him  an  immense  capacity  for  hatred  and  cruelty.  That 
is  all  it  shows.  He  made  his  God  to  suit  him,  a  God 
of  jealousy,  revenge,  deceit  and  bloody  murder.  No 
decent,  civilised  man  would  have  such  a  God." 

Unfortunate  Amne,  stray  bird  of  summer,  short-lived 
was  thy  happiness !  —  short,  ah,  how  short  the  pleasure 
of  thy  darkened  existence,  and  the  end,  a  barbarous 
death  at  the  hands  of  thine  own  kindred ! 

At  the  close  of  her  fearful  narration,  of  which  this 
is  but  a  feeble  summary,  Kadra  was  much  overcome. 
She  had  told  the  direful  story  with  a  swelling  heart, 
and  in  burning  words,  impossible  to  render,  accom- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  457 

panied  with  the  most  violent  gesticulations,  and  often 
interrupted,  by  both  herself  and  Hilwe,  with  scathing 
denunciations  of  the  murderers.  She  held  Hilvve's 
hand,  and  tried  to  comfort  her  in  the  death  of  her 
companion. 

"Amne  is  gone,  Hilwe.  We  cannot  bring  her  back. 
It  is  now  for  us  to  consider  the  living  who  are  in 
danger  of  a  like  fate,  and  to  do  all  in  our  power  to 
deliver  them." 

Thus  spake  the  wise  woman,  and  added :  "  I  dare  not 
hide  it  from  thee,  Hilwe.  Thy  life  and  the  life  of 
thy  child  are  no  longer  safe  in  this  place.  The  men 
of  blood  are  upon  thy  track.  Haste  thee,  delay  not; 
take  the  young  child  and  flee;  lest  they  come  upon 
thee  suddenly,  and  do  unto  thee  as  they  have  done  unto 
Amne! " 

No  matter  how  we  may  prepare  ourselves  for  the 
words  of  doom,  when  they  are  spoken,  they  fall  upon 
our  ears  with  a  shock.  Words  give  the  thoughts  an 
embodiment  they  hitherto  failed  to  possess,  as  acts 
give  to  words  their  full  substance.  A  word  can  slay 
like  a  stiletto. 

"Alas!  what  shall  become  of  me  and  the  child?" 
was  Hilwe's  outcry.  "  Yet  will  I  do  in  all  things  as 
thou  dost  advise." 

"  I  have  brought  thee  such  provision  as  I  could  spare, 
or  lay  my  hands  on.  It  is  as  much  as  thou  canst  well 
carry  with  the  child,  and  will  last  thee  for  many  a  day." 

Hilwe  would  have  thanked  her,  but  Kadra  would 
not  let  her. 

"Nay,"  she  said,  "thou  hast  no  need  to  thank  me. 
Have  I  not  promised?  Besides,  easily  can  I  spare  the 
food,  and  there  is  no  time  now  for  further  words  if 
thou  wouldst  get  well  upon  thy  way,  and  find  shelter 
for  the  night  ere  the  day  closes.  I  shall  see  thee  upon 
thy  journey;  and  when  thou  art  safe  beyond  the  vil 
lage,  I  shall  not  take  leave  of  thee  till  I  have  pointed 
out  the  direction  thou  shouldst  go  in." 

"I  am  in  the  hands  of  Allah,"  meekly  responded 
Hilwe,  while  she  hastened  to  make  the  few  necessary 
preparations  for  her  flight. 


458  Hassan:  a  Fellah 


CHAPTER    XLII 

"  \  M  I  not  in  the  hands  of  Allah?"  Hilwe  re- 
2~\.  peated,  less  as  a  question  than  a  confident 
assertion,  as  she  stood  watching  the  retreating  figure  of 
Kadra,  who  had  just  parted  from  her.  The  village  of 
Ain  Karim,  in  its  peaceful  valley,  lay  beneath,  envel 
oped  in  its  profusion  of  olive-groves,  gardens  and 
orchards.  She  could  still  distinguish  the  place  of  the 
fountain,  the  monastery  of  Spanish  monks,  and  the 
ruins  by  the  cave,  besides  many  another  well-known 
spot.  It  had  left  with  her  a  bitter-sweet  memory;  for 
there  she  had  become  a  mother.  It  was  to  her  like 
the  little  book  in  the  Apocalypse,  which  the  angel 
gave  to  St.  John  the  Beloved,  —  sweet  as  honey,  yet 
bitter.  Now,  as  she  halted  and  looked  down  upon  the 
quiet  place,  and  thought  of  the  days  she  had  spent 
there,  contrasting  them  with  the  cares  and  uncertain 
ties  immediately  opening  before  her,  the  bitter  seemed 
less  and  the  sweet  more.  Is  it  not  ever  so  with  us, 
sad  pilgrims?  The  atmosphere  of  memory  is  a  pleas 
ing  illusion,  and  aids  us  to  paint  of  a  rosy  hue  that 
which  we  yearn  to  consider  happiness  in  the  past. 

But  she  must  not  delay.  With  a  last  fond  look,  she 
turned  and  took  the  pathway  across  the  hills.  She 
remembered  the  advice  of  Kadra :  "  Were  it  not  that 
in  thy  case  it  is  different,  I  should  say  to  thee,  travel 
the  highway,  though  it  be  round  about.  It  may  prove 
the  shortest  way,  after  all.  Rather  might  I  advise 
thee,  —  go  not  by  the  travelled  way,  lest  thou  meet 
with  the  profane.  But  thou  must  be  guided  by  cir 
cumstances." 

The  load  was  heavy  upon  her,  —  carrying  the  child 
and  the  provisions ;  but  the  same  cheerful  nature  as 
ever  was  within  her. 

"Each  day  the  load  will  grow  a  little  lighter,"  she 
said,  and  hastened  on  her  way. 

She  looked  upon  the  bright  side,  and  did  not  appear 
to  consider  the  fact  that  this  growing  a  little  lighter 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  459 

meant  the  lessening  of  her  scanty  store  of  food,  and 
being  thrown  upon  her  own  exertions  for  the  supply  of 
her  daily  wants. 

There  was  in  Hilwe  a  sublime  submission  to  her 
fate, — an  acquiescence  which  is  characteristic  of  the 
people  of  the  land.  It  may  be  described  as  an  accept 
ance  of  all  trouble  or  affliction,  ascribing  it  to  the 
Supreme  Power,  in  a  spirit  of  which  the  Oriental  alone 
seems  capable.  In  Palestine  this  is  seen  in  its  highest 
development  in  the  Mohammedan,  to  whose  religious 
fatalism  probably  may  be  attributed  some  of  his  feeling 
and  belief.  But  the  land  is  pervaded,  —  saturated  with 
the  sentiment.  The  acknowledgment  of  God  in  every 
thing  reaches  a  height,  and  carries  with  it  a  deference 
to  the  Divine  Will  unknown  in  western  lands. 

Undoubtedly  there  are  exceptions  to  this.  Perhaps, 
too,  it  may  be  said  of  them  as  of  others,  even  of  Chris 
tians:  "This  people  honoureth  me  with  their  lips;  but 
their  heart  is  far  from  me."  Yet  it  is  doubtful  if  the 
European  or  American  Christian  often,  if  ever,  prac 
tically  reaches  in  his  daily  life  such  a  thorough  reali 
sation  of  God-with-man,  as  does  the  poorest  and  most 
ignorant  peasant  of  Palestine,  savage  and  barbaric  in 
many  ways  as  we  may  deem  him  to  be. 

"It  is  Allah." 

This  is  said  and  felt  when  in  the  most  bitter  grief 
and  sorrow,  with  folded  hands  and  complete  resigna 
tion  to  the  decree  of  the  All-Merciful  and  All-Wise 
ruler  of  the  universe.  It  recalls  the  words  of  Samuel 
of  old  :  "  It  is  the  Lord :  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him 
good." 

So  it  was  with  Hilwe.  She  said,  not  only  with  her 
lips  but  in  her  heart,  "It  is  the  will  of  Allah,"  and 
went  upon  her  unknown  and  often  pathless  way, 
strengthened,  refreshed  and  comforted. 

These  rocks  and  hollows  had  heard  the  voice  of  the 
Forerunner  of  the  Messiah.  Here  he  had  been  born 
and  bred,  the  influences  of  the  place  and  people  enter 
ing  into  him.  He  knew  every  domed  summit  and 
every  dimpled  vale  from  his  boyhood.  Here  he  had 
become  as  the  voice  of  God,  the  voice  of  one  crying  in 


460  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

the  wilderness,  "The  Kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand. 
Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord."  And  all  the  people 
of  this  hill-country  of  Judaea,  and  they  of  Jerusalem, 
had  flocked  to  hear  him,  — for  all  men  considered  John 
a  prophet. 

But  that  day  —  and  to  them  it  was  a  great  day  — 
is  past  and  gone.  Nearly  two  thousand  years  lie  be 
tween  it  and  us.  And  still  the  prayer  ascends:  "Thy 
Kingdom  come."  And  the  Christ  has  told  us,  "The 
Kingdom  of  Heaven  is  within  you,  if  you  would  but 
know  it." 

As  the  wind  swept  through  the  rocky  passes,  the 
grand  volume  of  sound  came  to  Hilwe  as  the  hymning 
of  a  holy  company,  and  the  cooling  touch,  as  of  an 
angel's  hand,  rested  in  blessing  on  her  heated  brow. 

The  brave  young  mother,  with  her  little  son,  had 
many  a  weary  tramp  through  the  thistles  and  briers, 
the  thorny  brush  and  rough,  flinty  byways,  and  some 
times  her  bleeding  feet  left  a  trail  of  pain  to  mark  her 
steps.  Often  the  water  was  spent  in  her  bottle,  and 
she  did  not  always  venture  near  the  village  wells,  to 
replenish  it,  not  knowing  what  trouble  it  might  bring 
upon  her. 

She  was  often  obliged  to  wait  long  on  the  outskirts 
of  villages  and  small  towns,  watching  an  opportunity 
to  visit  the  well  or  fountain  of  the  place  unobserved. 
More  than  once,  when  parched  with  thirst,  she  had 
entered  the  cemetery  belonging  to  some  village,  and, 
resting  in  the  shade  of  the  great  trees  which  adorned 
it,  was  glad  to  avail  herself  of  the  water  which  had 
gathered  in  the  cup-like  hollows  in  the  tombstones, 
made  there  according  to  the  beautiful  Oriental  custom, 
so  that  when  it  rains  the  water  may  collect  in  them  for 
the  birds  to  drink,  which  it  is  believed  brings  a  bless 
ing  to  the  dead.  Moslems  and  Jews  believe  in  praying 
for  the  dead. 

"We  are  stray  birds,"  she  would  say,  as  she  moist 
ened  the  lips  of  her  little  one,  and  stooped  and  drank 
from  the  receptacles.  "  Have  we  not  fallen  out  of  the 
nest,  and  become  lost  ?  Shall  we,  too,  not  drink,  and 
bless  the  dead  ?  " 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  461 

Like  the  Israelites  in  the  wilderness,  she  sometimes 
wandered  out  of  the  way  and  retraced  her  steps 
unwottingly,  not  knowing  where  she  was  till  she 
identified  some  prominent  landmark,  and  so,  after  much 
loss  of  time  and  labour,  recovered  the  direction  she 
would  go  in. 

At  night  she  was  happy  if  she  found  a  shelter,  how 
ever  rude,  to  cover  their  heads.  A  cavity  in  the  rocks 
was  hailed  with  delight  by  her  for  this  purpose. 

Her  devotion  to  her  child  was  extraordinary. 

"  Ever  I  hear  Hassan  speaking  to  me,  and  saying, 
'  Hilwe,  take  care  of  my  child,'  "  were  the  words  she 
constantly  repeated.  "  Ah  !  how  could  I  forget  ?  But 
would  that  Hassan  were  here  !  " 

Once  she  discovered,  adjoining  a  Christian  hamlet, 
a  dismantled  old  mosque,  where  she  found  peace  and 
rest  through  the  soft  nocturnal  hours.  Here,  too,  she 
had  the  luxury  of  a  light,  for  in  the  niche,  at  one  end 
of  the  mosque,  was  piled  a  large  number  of  earthen 
lamps,  the  offering  of  relatives  or  friends  of  the  sick, 
who  from  time  to  time  had  brought  lighted  lamps  and 
placed  them  there,  as  votive  tributes  accompanying 
prayer  for  the  invalid.  So  great  is  the  force  of  cus 
tom  that  even  Christians,  in  the  case  of  sickness  of  a 
member  of  their  family,  often  bring  lighted  lamps  to 
the  mosque.  There  they  were,  certainly,  those  primi 
tive  light-givers,  in  evidence  of  the  fact,  —  some  having 
the  oil  spilled,  others  with  half-consumed  wicks  hang 
ing  out  languidly;  but  all  dismally  deficient  in  the  <£eo9 
for  which  the  Greek  inscriptions  upon  some  of  them 
pronounced  them  excellent,  declaring  that  they  gave 
good  light. 

Hilwe  quickly  appropriated  one  of  those  shallow, 
earthen  Hespers,  lighting  and  applying  it  to  the  useful 
and  legitimate  purpose  of  scattering  the  shadows  in  the 
old  mosque,  which  soon  were  swaying  to  and  fro, 
grotesquely  and  threateningly,  high  up  upon  the  fine 
groined  roof,  which  was  one  of  those  masterpieces  of 
the  Palestine  masons,  to  whom  they  are  peculiar.  In 
truth,  there  seems  to  be  a  marvellous  skill  in  the  struc 
ture  of  those  severe  but  grandly  simple  ceilings,  for 


462  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

which  those  men  are  said  to  have  no  mathematical 
formula,  they  working  by  the  eye  with  exactness, 
though  apparently  with  the  crudest  methods.  It  is 
something  very  like  genius,  transmitted  from  father  to 
son  for  generations.  They  keep  the  royal  secret  well, 
whatever  it  is;  and  it  is  believed  no  other  masons  can 
do  such  work.  It  is  as  natural  and  complete  as  the 
blossoming  of  a  flower. 

The  light  was  a  great  comfort  to  Hilwe,  as  she  pre 
pared  her  scanty  evening  meal  from  her  much  diminished 
store,  and  then  arranged  her  sleeping-place.  She  fell 
asleep,  her  boy  in  her  arms,  watching  the  lights  and 
shadows  as  they  clasped  and  unclasped,  materialised 
and  melted,  each  running  into  the  other,  till  it  was 
impossible  to  follow  them  among  the  arches  and  curved 
lines  of  that  mysterious  ceiling,  and  her  tired  eyes 
halted  in  the  vain  pursuit,  and  shortly  her  eyelids 
drooped  and  closed.  The  last  broken  thought  which 
passed  through  her  mind  she  remembered  was  the  old 
saying  with  its  covert  meaning:  "One  cannot  seethe 
lamp  except  by  the  light  of  it." 

"How  true  it  is,"  she  thought  and  muttered,  with 
only  a  vague  impression  of  the  words,  and  a  blurred 
image  of  the  lamp  before  her.  "  It  is  only  by  the  light 
of  his  deeds  that  a  man  is  seen  and  known." 

Then  her  inner  consciousness  passed  into  the  land 
of  dreams.  She  was  in  a  garden  of  lilies,  asphodels 
and  roses,  and  the  pure  "  white  blooms  "  swayed  to  and 
fro  with  a  sacred  rhythm.  Hassan  was  there;  he 
stooped  and  kissed  her;  and,  presently,  Talmai  was 
with  them.  Oh,  what  joy !  What  splendour  of  love ! 
What  glory  of  form  and  colour  and  perfume  on  every 
side !  She  was  ravished  with  it  all.  Then  it  gradually 
faded  away,  and  vanished  altogether.  It  is  always 
so. 

When  she  awoke  it  was  another  day,  but  still  dark, 
—  very  dark  within  the  mosque,  for  the  lamp  had  gone 
out.  It  took  her  some  moments  to  recall  where  she 
was.  Sleeping  in  a  different  place  each  night  was 
confusing.  But  the  consciousness  of  the  necessity  of 
vigilance  was  at  once  with  her.  That  was  ever  with 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  463 

her  now.  Even  in  her  sleep  some  sense  of  it  remained. 
Awaking,  she  was  thoroughly  awake  as  to  that. 

The  brave,  cheerful  soul,  perceiving  the  cause  of  the 
darkness,  cried,  "Ah,  how  quick  thou  art  to  desert 
me!"  and  then,  quoted  the  familiar  proverb,  "But  no 
one's  lamp  burns  till  morning." 

She  immediately  arose,  and,  looking  out,  saw  that 
faint  gray  pallor  in  the  eastern  sky  that  tells  of  the 
approaching  dawn.  Knowing  what  early  risers  the 
fellaheen  are,  that  they  go  to  bed  with  the  sun  and  rise 
with  the  sun,  she  seized  her  water-bottle,  and,  taking 
her  little  son  upon  her  back,  for  she  dared  not  leave 
him  alone,  hastened  to  the  fountain,  filled  the  vessel, 
and  returned  to  the  mosque  without  meeting  any  one. 
She  considered  herself  fortunate,  while  she  prepared 
and  ate  a  most  slender  breakfast,  and  then  nursed  her 
child  in  the  open  air,  in  the  little  court  of  the  building, 
which  was  neatly  paved,  and  scrupulously  clean. 

The  mosque  was  built  on  rising  ground  —  the  most 
prominent  and  desirable  spot  in  the  village;  and  in 
the  centre  of  the  level  court,  before  it,  spread  a  fine 
terebinth  tree,  like  a  green  umbrella  or  sacred  canopy, 
shading  every  foot  of  space  in  the  attractive  inclosure. 

Situated  as  Hilwe  was,  it  was  impossible  but  that 
care  and  anxiety  at  times  should  be  her  unwelcome 
companions.  As  she  bared  the  soft  hemisphere  of  her 
argent  breast  to  her  boy,  the  sacred  fountain  of  his 
nutriment  gave  not  forth  as  abundantly  as  usual,  nor 
as  freely  as  he  desired  the  sweet  supply.  He  was  a 
strong  lusty  child,  uncommonly  large  for  his  age,  and 
the  constant  outdoor  life  had  aided  his  robust  devel 
opment.  His  steady  growth  required  a  steady  increase 
of  nourishment;  and  latterly  Hilwe  stinted  herself  to 
eke  out  the  scanty  residue  of  her  provisions,  with  the 
result  that  Talmai  had  not  all  he  wanted.  The  little 
fellow,  taught  by  nature,  put  up  his  clenched,  baby 
fist,  bringing  such  pressure  to  bear  as  he  could  employ; 
just  as  the  lambkins  in  the  fields  butt  the  udders  of 
the  mother-sheep  to  encourage  the  flow  of  the  milk. 

The  tears  filled  Hilwe's  eyes,  as  she  bent  over  him 
lovingly,  and  understood  the  trouble. 


464  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"I  have  defrauded  thee,"  she  said.  "Allah  forgive 
me  for  not  trusting  him  more.  Yet  I  did  it  for  the 
best.  I  have  refrained  from  satisfying  my  hunger, 
fearing  to  run  out  of  food;  and  now,  behold,  I  am 
starving  thee,  my  son." 

The  boy  looked  up  at  the  sound  of  her  voice,  dropped 
the  rosy  nipple  from  between  his  lips,  and  smiled  in 
her  face. 

"  Ah,  how  good-natured  and  pleasant  thou  art  about 
it,"  she  said,  hugging  and  kissing  him.  "Thou  art 
Hassan  over  again.  Thou  art  his  living  image.  Would 
that  he  could  see  thee !  " 

Hitherto  Hihve  had  adhered,  as  closely  as  possible, 
to  Kadra's  advice  to  loiter  not  by  the  way,  and  to  avoid 
dwelling-houses  and  individuals  till  well  out  of  the 
range  of  country  where  she  might  be  apprehended,  or 
suspicion  send  back  rumour  of  her.  But  the  frequent 
losing  of  her  way  had  delayed  her;  so  had  the  taking 
of  circuitous  routes  to  avoid  persons  and  places.  This 
had  resulted  in  the  exhaustion  of  her  limited  store  of 
food  before  she  had  arrived  as  far  as  had  been  intended. 
She  had  added  occasionally  to  her  meagre  fare  by 
gleaning  grain  or  gathering  a  few  fruits  and  herbs ; 
and,  to  appease  her  hunger,  had  resorted  even  to  eating 
the  embryonic  or  immature  little  figs,  a  not  unusual 
practice  on  the  part  of  the  peasant  when  suffering  for 
want  of  food  and  nothing  better  offers;  thus  illustrat 
ing  and  explaining  that  difficult  and  perplexing  pas 
sage  in  connection  with  the  barren  fig-tree  —  how  that, 
though  it  was  not  the  season  of  figs,  the  tree  being  a 
healthy  tree  and  full  of  leaves,  Christ  might  well  have 
expected  to  find  upon  it  this  early  imperfect  fruit,  suffi 
cient  to  relieve  his  wants. 

The  laws  of  hospitality  in  this  country  are  very 
broad  and  generous.  The  habits  of  ages  have  built 
up  and  sanctified  their  unwritten  code  —  for  to  these 
fellaheen  it  is  unwritten.  To  this  day  it  is  regarded 
as  nothing  unusual  for  the  stranger,  the  wayfarer,  and 
traveller,  when  needing  food,  to  pluck  the  ears  of 
wheat  and  eat  them,  rubbing  them  in  their  hands,  a 
custom  old  as  the  days  of  Moses,  and  exercised  in  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  465 

time  of  Christ,  being  recorded  of  his  disciples.  It  is 
common  to  see  the  mounted  traveller  pause  by  the 
edges  of  the  open  unfenced  cornfields,  and  give  his 
horse  "a  bite"  of  the  growing  crop. 

Hilwe's  opportunities  in  this  direction,  owing  to  her 
fear  of  being  discovered,  were  not  as  numerous  as  other 
wise  they  might  have  been.  Yet  her  acquaintance 
with  the  life  of  the  pasture  enabled  her  sometimes  to 
secure  the  milk  from  some  stray  she-goat  of  the  flocks, 
over  which  she  had  cast  her  gentle  spell,  the  creature 
gladly  yielding  to  her  soothing  manipulations. 

Thus  had  she  managed  to  support  herself  and  her 
son,  and,  with  her  patient  spirit,  felt  she  hitherto  had 
not  fared  so  very  badly.  Till  now  the  food  had  never 
got  so  low  in  her  sack. 

As  she  sat  before  the  carved  doorway  of  the  mosque, 
the  dawn  began  to  broaden,  and  nearer  objects  stood  out 
more  distinctly  from  the  shadowy  background.  She 
looked  longingly  towards  the  houses  of  the  village 
clustering  in  groups,  somewhat  different  from  Moslem 
villages,  the  well-kept  vineyards  and  gardens  lying 
around  them. 

"There  is  plenty  within  those  gates,"  she  said; 
"they  have  enough  to  eat  and  to  spare,  while  I  want." 
And  as  she  thought  of  her  child,  she  strongly  inclined 
to  ask  for  aid  at  this  thrifty  place  —  this  "house  of 
abundance,"  as  she  called  it.  Still,  when  it  came  to 
the  point,  she  shrank  from  doing  so,  and  averted  her 
eyes  from  the  boy,  lest  the  sight  of  him  should  tempt 
her  overmuch. 

"  I  have  heard  the  Nazarenes  are  kind,  and  helpful, 
and  hurt  no  one,"  she  murmured.  "But  —  who  can 
tell?" 

The  force  of  prejudice  asserted  itself;  she  hesi 
tated. 

"I  have  still  a  little  food  left,"  she  added  presently, 
persistently  turning  her  gaze  away  from  her  young  one, 
and  fixing  it  on  the  village.  "Why  should  I  beg  from 
a  Giaour,  a  Kaffir  —  an  unbeliever?" 

Looking  toward  the  east,  she  saw  the  cold  white 
gleam,  the  immediate  footsteps  of  the  coming  day.  It 

3° 


466  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

was  a  warning.  Soon  the  crimson  streaks  would 
stream  up,  ray-like,  where  the  sun  was  to  rise. 

"I  have  no  time  to  lose,"  she  said,  and  arose  hur 
riedly.  "I  must  be  going." 

She  would  have  liked  to  linger  longer  in  the  pleasant 
place.  But  she  would  not  let  herself  consider  it. 
She  could  not.  She  dared  not. 

She  took,  as  usual,  a  roundabout  way,  leaving  the 
village  a  good  distance  to  the  right,  to  avoid  all  risk, 
lest  already  some  of  the  inhabitants  should  be  stirring. 
But  she  must  needs  cross  the  highway.  Hardly  had 
she  reached  the  other  side,  when  she  came  upon  a 
level  space  of  ground,  where  was  halted  a  large  number 
of  camels.  She  was  quite  close  to  them,  so  close  that, 
as  she  stood  behind  a  clump  of  bushes,  she  could  see 
distinctly  the  peculiar  patterns  and  marks  clipped  in 
their  creamy-white,  fawn,  drab,  or  dark  gray  coats  by 
their  owners,  and  which  devices  were  partly  for  orna 
ment,  partly  as  a  means  of  identification.  Many  of 
these  huge  beasts  of  burden  had  their  heads  elevated 
high  above  the  bushes,  and  Hilwe  had  the  impression 
that  they  noticed  her,  though  she  kept  quite  still, 
hiding  behind  the  shrubs. 

It  added  to  her  alarm  that  she  became  convinced  that 
this  was  the  same  caravan  which  had  passed  through 
Ain  Karim,  to  which  the  camel-driver  belonged  who 
had  spied  on  her  and  Kadra.  It  was  now  probably 
making  its  return  trip.  This  made  her  the  more  cau 
tious,  as  she  perceived  some  of  the  drivers  were  already 
astir. 

She  heard  them  warning  the  young  muleteers  to 
keep  away  from  the  male  camels : 

"Seest  thou  not  their  tongues  lolling  out?  Hear 
them  roar.  They  are  fierce  and  dangerous  at  this 
season.  Do  not  approach  them  so  near." 

Stealthily  she  crept  along,  from  bush  to  bush,  fear 
ing  to  make  the  least  noise  which  might  discover  her. 
She  watched  the  camels  eat,  kneeling  as  they  had  knelt 
for  hours  through  the  night,  munching  the  dry  musty 
mixture  of  barley  and  chopped  straw  —  more  straw  than 
barley  —  which  had  been  placed  before  them,  and  with 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  467 

that  expression  of  mingled  discontent  and  maliciousness 
which  is  habitual  to  the  uncouth  but  useful  animal. 
Several  of  them  were  being  reloaded  by  the  drivers, 
and,  under  the  operation,  were  blubbering  and  groan 
ing  and  spitting,  giving  vent  to  an  occasional  louder 
bleat  or  howl,  as  if  in  remonstrance  at  putting  any 
extra  weight  upon  them.  A  camel  knows  how  much  it 
can  conveniently  carry,  and  objects  strenuously  to 
being  imposed  upon.  From  necessity,  it  always  kneels 
for  loading,  and  it  is  well  understood  the  beast  will 
refuse  to  rise  should  it  consider  the  load  too  great. 

As  Hilwe  came  to  where  some  of  the  provender  had 
been  spilled,  she  fain  would  have  stopped  and  picked 
out  the  grains  of  barley  to  supply  her  wants  and  re 
plenish  her  diminished  store.  But  she  knew  this  would 
be  imprudent,  and  hastened  on  her  way. 

"Alas,  little  did  I  think  it  should  come  to  this  with 
me,"  she  said,  "that  I  should  grudge  the  camel  his 
feed,  and  hunger  for  that  which  the  beggar  despiseth." 


CHAPTER   XLIII 

AT  length  the  day  had  come  when  there  was  no 
more  food  in  Hilwe's  scrip.  The  last  morsels, 
though  carefully  stinted,  had  been  devoured,  and  not  a 
crumb  was  left. 

Of  late  she  had  been  unsuccessful  in  obtaining  grain 
or  roots,  as  she  had  met  no  cultured  fields.  She  now 
had  wandered  out  of  her  way  and  was  lost.  The  water 
was  spent  in  her  bottle.  Faint  with  hunger,  parched 
with  thirst,  weary  from  her  fruitless  wanderings,  not 
knowing  where  she  was,  bewildered  and  perplexed, 
she  seemed  to  herself  as  a  mere  nothing  and  of  no 
account,  in  the  wide  stretch  of  land  and  sky  sur 
rounding  her. 

She  turned  her  eyes  in  every  direction,  as  though 
searching  out  some  way  to  escape.  But  she  could  find 
no  favourable  indications.  There  was  a  blank  dreari- 


468  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

ness  to  the  scene,  which,  in  her  state,  might  well 
appal  her.  She  dragged  herself  to  the  nearest  boulder, 
and,  exhausted,  sank  upon  it,  as  a  tired  bird  might 
roost  there. 

She  tried  to  collect  herself,  and  to  recall  the  direc 
tions  which  Kadra  had  so  carefully  given  her. 

"  How  easy  and  simple  it  all  seemed  to  be,  when  she 
talked  to  me  about  the  journey,"  she  said;  "and  now 
—  now  I  am  lost.  I  know  not  where  I  am.  I  have  so 
often  wandered  out  of  the  way  —  Ah !  have  I  not  wan 
dered  out  of  the  way?"  she  repeated,  sorrowfully  shak 
ing  her  head, — "that  the  track  is  blotted  out  both 
before  me  and  behind  me;  I  am  become  as  one  that  is 
foolish;  and  there  is  none  to  say  to  me:  'This  is  the 
way;  walk  thou  in  it.'  Neither  is  there  one  to  entreat 
me  — '  Eat  this  morsel  of  bread,  my  daughter,  and 
drink  of  the  water  from  my  pitcher. '  How  often  have 
I  given  food  to  the  stranger,  and  now  I  am  an  hungered 
and  thirsty,  and  my  little  one  nigh  perishing  of  want. 
My  eyes  are  darkened,  so  that  I  cannot  see;  and  my 
heart  is  weak,  and  my  strength  wasted  within  me. 
Yet  let  me  shut  my  mouth,  and  not  murmur.  Who 
am  I  that  I  should  reproach  the  Creator?  Will  he  not 
deliver  me  in  due  time,  and  sustain  me  for  this  day 
also  ? " 

As,  in  her  helplessness,  she  sat  upon  the  rock,  buried 
beneath  the  thoughts  that  pressed  with  such  overwhelm 
ing  weight  upon  her,  with  that  strange  mixed  feeling, 
that  often  makes  itself  apparent  in  the  most  serious 
circumstances,  linking  the  trivial  with  the  momen 
tous,  she  gradually  began  noticing  —  at  first  scarcely 
conscious  of  it  —  the  mosses,  lichens  and  ferns  which 
grew  on  the  sides  or  in  the  interstices  of  the  boulder. 
She  passed  her  fingers  over  the  filmy  lichens,  clinging 
so  close  to  their  hard  bed  —  some  of  a  pale  metallic 
green,  silvery  underneath,  others  brownish,  or  olive, 
or  gray  above,  and  black  beneath;  or  those  distinct 
patches  of  rich  orange-colour,  or  of  pale  sulphur- 
yellow,  adhering  so  perseveringly  that  they  broke  in 
pieces  rather  than  be  separated  from  their  foothold  — 
their  home. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  469 

The  storms  of  many  a  winter  had  beaten  upon  them, 
the  fierce  scorching  suns  of  untold  summers  had  smitten 
them  in  vain.  They  still  held  their  ground.  The 
heaviest  torrents  of  the  "  rainy  season  "  had  failed  to 
wash  them  away;  the  drought  of  the  longest  "dry 
season,"  when  not  a  drop  of  rain  fell,  had  not  consumed 
them.  They  taught  her  a  lesson  of  patience  and  endur 
ance.  She  had  known  them  from  childhood.  They, 
and  such  as  they,  were  her  holy  books;  for,  in  the 
literal  sense  of  books  she  had  none,  and  knew  little  or 
nothing  about  them.  These  rock-plants,  from  her 
tenderest  years,  were  her  playmates,  her  friends.  How 
soft  and  pleasant  to  her  touch  were  the  feathery  tufts 
of  moss.  And  the  tiny  fronds  of  the  baby  ferns,  like 
olive-green  lace,  how  she  wondered  that  they  could 
find  sustenance  and  an  abiding  place  in  the  crannies 
and  chinks  of  the  flinty  stone. 

"  Shall  not  I  be  accounted  of  more  value  than  these  ?  " 
she  said.  "  Shall  I  not  also  find  an  abiding-place?  " 

She  sat  so  still,  fearing  to  awaken  her  child,  that  at 
length  the  living  creatures  began  to  approach  her 
with  impunity.  In  her  naturalness  was  she  not  akin 
to  them?  A  lizard  ran  along  the  rock,  until  close  to 
her,  and  looked  up  into  her  face,  inquiringly,  with 
those  clear  jewel-like  eyes  of  his  emitting  bronze- 
green,  chrysolite,  and  ruby  glints.  The  little  crested 
lark  flitted  near,  and  with  friendly  interest,  seeing  no 
harm,  drew  still  nearer,  till  within  arm's-length  of  her, 
uttering  his  silvery  confidential  note,  and  lifting  proudly 
his  plumed  coronet,  with  the  intelligence  of  one  who 
knows  what  he  is,  and  that  he  is  an  honoured  and  wel 
come  guest.  Flocks  of  twittering  goldfinches  hovered 
in  surprising  numbers  around  her,  and  settled  on  the 
thistles,  feeding  on  the  seeds,  and  setting  free  the  down 
that  floated  off  upon  the  air,  often  carrying  the  seed 
away  with  it,  the  birds  pursuing. 

Hilwe's  eyes  filled  with  tears.  All  these  had  been 
long  her  companions;  and  the  thought  of  the  many 
happy  hours  she  had  spent  with  them  —  or  hours  which 
now  seemed  to  her  to  have  been  happy — 'touched  her  to 
the  quick.  Once  her  heart  had  been  as  light  as  these 


47  o  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

winged  seeds ;  and  now  —  now  she  was  cast  out,  a  stran 
ger  in  a  strange  land,  with  none  to  give  unto  her  or  her 
child. 

The  little  Talmai  woke  and  cried.  It  was  his  feed 
ing  time.  Hilwe  knew  and  dreaded  it;  for  she  felt 
that  Nature  was  withholding  her  kind  supply,  and  she 
could  not  satisfy  the  boy.  The  tears  now  overflowed 
and  dropped  on  the  face  of  the  child  as,  with  a  deep 
sigh  she  bent  over  him  and  gave  him  the  breast. 

"There  is  nothing  in  it  for  thee,  my  lambkin,"  she 
said.  "Yet  will  I  not  refuse  thee  the  comfort  of  it." 

Then  she  tried  to  put  him  to  sleep,  singing  in  a 
gentle  voice,  very  faint  and  trembling,  a  simple 
lullaby :  — 

"  Sleep,  my  little  nestling,  sleep  ; 
Not  for  myself,  but  for  thee  I  weep. 
Though  the  way  be  rough  and  steep, 
Allah  my  precious  one  shall  keep. 
Sleep,  my  little  darling,  sleep." 

There  was  that  slight  lilting  of  the  voice  that  is  so 
telling;  but  how  sad  was  her  attempt  at  singing! —  it 
was  almost  piteous.  Yet  the  mother's  love  was  in  the 
song,  and  the  soft  slumberous  cooing  of  the  words 
soothed  the  boy  to  sleep. 

She  began  to  feel  rested.  The  necessity  of  caring 
for  and  pitying  another  had  revived  and  restored  her. 
Her  mind  was  quickened,  her  energy  invigorated. 

She  perceived  that  the  flocks  of  birds,  after  feeding, 
all  flew  mostly  in  one  direction. 

"There  must  be  water  and  shelter  there,"  she  said, 
"else  the  birds  would  not  flock  thither." 

She  pondered  awhile,  her  head  bent,  while  her  eyes 
were  fixed  on  the  distant  horizon.  At  the  point  to 
where  the  birds'  flight  was  directed,  there  seemed  to 
be  a  low  range  of  hills. 

"I  will  go  forward,"  she  said.  "Hath  not  Allah 
sent  these  winged  messengers  of  his  to  point  me  the 
way?  Let  me  be  obedient,  and  delay  not  to  follow 
them." 

She  was  already  upon  her  feet  and  hastening  with 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  471 

the  birds  that  flew  before  her  and  were  like  guides  to 
her.  It  is  true  their  trackless  way  in  the  air  led  her 
over  a  trackless  course  on  the  ground,  and  through 
many  rough  and  difficult  places;  but  she  followed 
their  broken,  intermittent  flitting  with  unquestioning 
faith.  These  apparently  desultory  flights  all  tended 
one  way,  as  she  already  had  noticed. 

Her  strength  seemed  to  have  returned  to  her;  and 
she  pressed  onward  with  an  enthusiasm  that  was  born 
of  her  hope.  It  was  one  of  those  recurrent  recupera 
tive  waves  of  force  that  come  to  the  individual  almost 
with  surprise. 

"It  is  strange,"  she  said,  "but  when  the  time  for 
eating  passes  by,  I  am  not  so  hungry.  I  do  not  mind 
the  pangs  of  hunger  so  much." 

Already  she  had  advanced  several  miles.  She  had 
been  wonderfully  sustained,  and  showed  remarkable 
endurance,  no  doubt  in  large  measure  to  be  attributed 
to  the  simple  outdoor  life  of  toil  and  exposure  in  which 
she  had  been  disciplined. 

Reaching  the  top  of  a  ridge  and  looking  eagerly 
beyond,  her  eyes  were  at  last  surprised  and  gladdened 
by  the  happy  sight  of  a  cultivated  field  of  grain.  It 
was  but  a  small  patch,  tucked  in  among  the  rocks,  in 
a  space  between  the  hills;  but  a  godsend  to  her,  and 
welcome  beyond  measure,  was  the  sight  of  that  green 
and  gold  escutcheon  royally  vermilioned  with  heraldic 
blazonry  of  slender  bars  and  barrulets,  composed  of 
poppies,  running  through  it.  The  flowers  were  like 
signal-flags,  calling  her  attention.  Near  by  were  a  few 
neglected  fig-trees ;  and  the  place  had  the  appearance 
of  having  been  cultivated  from  olden  time,  for  there 
were  ancient  landmarks  which  had  never  been  moved. 
But  there  was  no  habitation  nor  human  being  in  sight. 

She  found  a  small  quantity  of  poor  figs  upon  the 
trees,  which  she  greedily  devoured;  and  soon  she  was 
in  the  midst  of  the  grain,  plucking  the  ears  of  wheat, 
and  winnowing  them  in  her  hands.  When  she  had 
satisfied  her  hunger,  she  continued  her  work  till  she 
had  well  supplied  her  bag.  The  poppies  grew  thick 
around  her,  some  with  drooping  heads,  as  if  ashamed 


472  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

—  all  blushing  scarlet.  Some  looked  up  at  her  as  if 
with  speechless  wonder,  showing  those  great  black  and 
white  maculations,  set  in  the  petals,  like  human  eyes 
of  pity  and  sweet,  tearful  sympathy. 

She  had  placed  the  sleeping  Talmai  under  a  great 
clump  of  the  poppies,  which,  in  company  with  the  long, 
tapering  sprays  of  the  purple  gladiolus,  kept  salaaming 
and  bending  over  him,  as  if  in  admiration  of  the  beau 
tiful  boy,  who  looked  like  a  young  sun-god,  his  hair, 
at  this  age,  being  of  a  golden  brown. 

"He  will  sleep  well  under  the  poppies,"  she  said, 
repeating  an  old  saying  of  the  people,  attributing,  not 
unjustly,  a  soporific  influence  to  the  flower. 

He  slept  well,  confirming  the  proverb,  and  did  not 
awake  until  she  was  ready  to  proceed  on  her  journey. 
She  now  was  more  thirsty  than  ever ;  her  search  among 
the  rocks  for  a  spring  or  pool  of  water  had  been  fruit 
less  ;  but  her  faith  in  the  flight  of  the  birds  was  as  im 
plicit  as  that  of  any  Roman  augur.  Those  messengers 
of  Allah,  though  now  coming  from  different  quarters, 
still  had  one  destination,  she  perceived. 

"That  is  where  there  is  water,"  she  said,  "surely, 
surely. " 

On  the  further  side  of  the  field  she  found,  leading 
from  it,  a  partly  obliterated  path,  which  she  followed. 
This  brought  her  to  a  depression  or  hollow,  ending  in  a 
ravine,  which  in  turn,  passed  into  a  narrow,  deep  and 
rocky  glen. 

There  was  a  deserted  savage  air  to  the  place  which 
seemed  at  first  repellent,  and  thrilled  her  with  a  sense 
of  awe  or  dread.  It  had  the  appearance  of  having  been, 
at  some  distant  period,  inhabited,  though  now  not  a 
single  dwelling  or  structure  remained  intact,  or  recog 
nisable  even  as  a  ruin.  But  as  she  descended  into  the 
gorge,  she  passed  various  fragments  of  stonework, 
which  originally  might  have  belonged  to  buildings  of 
some  kind.  There  seemed  the  hint  of  a  catastrophe,  a 
mysterious  doom,  in  the  surroundings.  She  now  gave 
them  little  examination  or  thought,  for  her  quick  ear 
had  caught  that  more  than  delightful  sound  — •  the  sil 
very  splash  of  falling  water. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  473 

"  I  knew  it !  I  knew  it !  "  she  exclaimed  with  a  glad 
some  cry. 

Rushing  forward,  she  beheld  the  precious  liquid  which 
in  her  fevered  imagination  she  had  longed  for  and  con 
jured  up  a  hundred  times  during  her  weary  tramp. 
Could  she  believe  it?  Did  she  see  aright? 

"  It  is  a  fountain,"  she  said,  with  immeasurable  joy. 

The  sparkling  current  fell  from  ledge  to  ledge,  with  in 
tervening  basins  or  pools  in  the  rock,  —  to  her  a  marvel 
lous  sight,  — a  gift  of  God.  Flinging  herself  upon  her 
knees  beside  the  nearest  pool  with  the  eagerness  of  the 
famished,  she  stooped  over  and  commenced  dashing  the 
water  with  her  hand  into  her  parched  mouth. 

"  Praise  be  to  the  All-Merciful !  Did  I  not  know  the 
birds  would  lead  me  aright?" 

These  were  her  continual  ejaculations,  as,  after  having 
quenched  her  thirst,  she  bathed  herself  with  complete 
appreciation  of  the  refreshing  luxury  in  one  of  the 
deeper  pools. 

She  had  already  washed  and  dressed  the  little  Talmai, 
and  now  had  more  time  to  examine  into  the  character  of 
the  place  and  its  advantages  as  a  point  at  which  to  sojourn. 

Hilwe  was  not  long  in  deciding  to  abide  here  for  the 
present. 

"  Can  it  be  Ain  Farah?  "  she  asked  herself.  "  Kadra 
told  me  about  it,  but  she  did  not  tell  me  half  of  what  I 
find.  If  it  be  Ain  Farah,  then  am  I  not  so  far  escaped 
as  I  imagined,"  reasoned  Hilwe,  "  though  still  well  north 
ward  of  Jerusalem.  I  must  have  wandered  aside  over 
much.  Yet  it  is  out  of  the  way  of  general  resort,  and 
for  a  little  while  to  all  appearance  I  may  securely  make 
my  abode  here  where  there  is  abundance  of  water." 

She  had  discovered  in  the  cliffs  a  series  of  caves  which 
in  former  times,  long  passed,  had  apparently  been  fronted 
with  dwellings  of  an  unusually  fine  character.  Higher 
up  in  the  cliffs  and  more  inaccessible  were  other  caves 
which  seemed  to  have  been  resorted  to  on  occasions  of 
extreme  danger.  Hilwe  had  selected  one  of  the  latter,  and 
soon  made  it  as  comfortable  as  possible  for  her  occupation. 

She  had  come  upon  it  by  accident.  At  a  point  in  the 
southerly  cliff  she  had  found  several  blocks  of  stones 


474  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

piled  on  top  of  one  another.  This  at  once  attracted  her 
attention,  for  evidently  it  was  the  work  of  man,  and  there 
was  a  purpose  in  the  step-like  arrangement  of  the  stones. 
On  mounting  to  the  top  of  the  pile  she  could  just  reach 
a  succession  of  roughly-cut  steps  or  rather  notches  on 
the  face  of  the  cliff,  by  which  she  carefully  climbed  to  a 
shelf-like  ledge,  above  which  the  rock  shot  up,  perfectly 
smooth  and  almost  perpendicular  to  another  and  the 
highest  ledge,  giving  not  a  single  perceptible  foothold 
between.  But  she  discovered,  hidden  in  a  cleft  in  the 
rock,  a  rudely-made  but  strong  ladder  still  in  a  fair  state 
of  preservation.  This  showed  that  some  one  within  re 
cent  years  had  occupied  the  retreat.  Two  deep  sockets 
or  hollows  in  the  rock  near  by  were  made  to  receive  the 
foot  of  the  ladder,  the  top  of  which  when  in  position 
reached  nearly  to  the  upper  ledge  at  a  point  where  well- 
made  grooves  held  it  in  place,  preventing  it  from  slipping. 

Hilwe  with  but  little  difficulty  ascended  to  the  top  by 
means  of  the  ladder,  which  she  drew  up  after  her.  Here 
was  her  inviolate  cave,  which  may  have  been  originally  the 
abode  of  the  troglodites  of  Palestine,  or  subsequently  the 
refuge  of  the  early  Christian  hermits  who  in  the  seventh 
century  flocked  to  such  retreats  by  thousands,  and  whose 
cells  to  this  day  honeycomb  the  rocky  gorges  through 
out  the  country,  as  in  the  Cedron  Valley,  Mar  Saba,  and 
the  Jordan.  That  there  had  been  another  and  very  dif 
ferent  occupation  of  the  place,  pointing  to  a  higher  civi 
lisation,  was  apparent  from  the  fragments  of  sculpture 
and  other  remains  strewn  on  every  side. 

To  any  of  these  inhabitants  as  well  as  afterward  to  the 
fellaheen,  the  presence  of  the  water  would  have  been  an 
attraction  of  paramount  importance. 

And  yet  the  place  was  deserted.  This  puzzled  Hilwe, 
while  she  profited  by  it.  Then  she  remembered  Kadra's 
having  told  her  that  there  was  a  curse  upon  Ain  Farah, 
some  disaster  having  befallen  it,  and  that  now  it  was 
rarely  resorted  to  except  at  certain  seasons,  such  as  at 
sheep-shearing,  when  the  shepherds  drove  their  flocks 
to  the  waters  for  washing. 

But  though  Hilwe  thought  of  the  possible  proximity 
of  the  jinn,  vampires,  and  other  like  undesirable  beings, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  475 

the  advantages  connected  with  the  place  decided  her  to 
continue  to  remain  there.  She  admitted  there  was  a 
mysterious  sense  of  isolation  and  gloom  about  it;  but  as 
day  after  day  passed  by  without  molestation  or  trouble, 
she  settled  gradually  into  a  feeling  of  security  and  con 
fidence  which  she  had  not  dared  to  expect.  True,  she 
had  to  traverse  quite  a  distance  to  obtain  grain,  fruits, 
and  other  supplies  of  food  ;  but  this  very  fact  rendered 
more  probable  her  immunity  from  intrusion,  and  the 
secret  refuge  of  the  sheltering  cave  and  the  nearness 
and  abundance  of  the  water  were  superlative  benefits 
not  easily  outweighed. 

Well  might  she  think  the  place  peculiar  —  haunted. 
It  was  so  in  a  sense  beyond  her  simple  comprehension. 
It  must  have  been  an  ancient  river-bed,  a  passage  for 
the  floods  of  prehistoric  times,  cutting  a  way  of  escape 
for  themselves.  A  swift-rushing  river  must  have  swept 
through  this  water-worn  channel,  with  its  polished  bottom 
and  gaping  sides,  —  a  deep,  fleet,  irresistible  power,  now 
reduced  to  these  paltry  dimensions,  a  trickling  stream, 
with  intermittent  pools  in  the  hollows,  where  sand,  gravel, 
and  pebbles  collected.  Great  boulders  lay  deposited 
high  up  on  rocky  shelves  where  some  unusual  overflow 
had  left  them  stranded  and  ever  since  undisturbed. 

Hilwe  wondered  as  she  picked  up  pieces  of  tesserae ; 
single  cubes  were  numerous,  and  occasionally  several  were 
seen  grouped  together  in  the  original  matrix,  giving  a  faint 
conception  of  the  mosaic  pattern.  They  must  have  been 
part  of  the  pavement  of  an  extensive  building  of  impor 
tance.  Then  the  fragments  of  the  carved  pilasters,  with 
their  primitive  Ionic  capitals,  —  those  Ammonic  ram's- 
horn  volutes,  —  they  meant  much.  In  those  far-off  palmy 
days,  a  palace  or  a  temple  may  have  stood  upon  the  shore, 
with  portico  opening  on  the  descent,  and  steps  leading 
down  to  the  flood.  The  cells,  caverns,  and  deep  re 
cesses  and  the  later  precautions  for  retreat,  revealed 
conditions  of  both  remote  and  nearer  times  which  also 
gave  her  food  for  thought.  But  in  her  lofty  den,  as 
she  lowered  and  raised  her  ladder,  she  felt  that  sense  of 
security  which  the  warder  of  some  ancient  castle  must 
have  felt  behind  his  drawbridge  and  portcullis. 


476  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


CHAPTER   XLIV 

IT  was  one  of  those  warm,  cloudless,  monotonously 
equable  days  so  frequent  in  Palestine,  unduly  pro 
longing  the  rainless  season,  and  Hilwe  was  returning  to 
her  secluded  glen  laden  with  the  spoil  of  the  fields.  She 
swiftly  went  upon  her  way,  bearing  the  burden  and 
rejoicing  in  her  heart. 

In  her  excursions  to  the  outside  world  and  the  fields 
to  renew  her  supply  of  provisions,  which  latterly  had  be 
come  scanty  and  difficult  of  procuring,  Hilwe  continued 
to  use  the  greatest  precaution  to  prevent  discovery  and 
being  tracked  to  her  lair.  Though  the  distance  she  was 
obliged  to  cover  and  the  labour  of  finding  and  collecting 
the  food  gave  her  fatiguing  work,  the  change  from  the 
oppressive  atmosphere  of  the  glen  was  an  agreeable 
break  or  variation  to  her.  If  only  successful  she  was 
satisfied  to  endure  the  toil. 

Two  or  three  times  she  had  had  narrow  escapes  from 
detection,  which  had  warned  her  to  be  even  more  careful 
in  her  movements  in  future  and  to  restrict  her  visits  to 
the  fields  to  occasions  when  absolutely  necessary.  Thus, 
to  avoid  risks,  she  often  let  her  little  store  run  low  before 
renewing  it,  and  this  was  the  case  on  this  bright  warm 
day  when  she  could  no  longer  postpone  her  innocent 
raid. 

She  had  already  reached  the  descent  into  the  hollow, 
and  was  congratulating  herself  that  the  ravine  would 
soon  receive  and  conceal  her,  when  she  heard  the  unmis 
takable  clang  and  clash  of  rapidly-approaching  horses, 
and,  lifting  her  eyes,  trembled  to  behold  several  mounted 
soldiers,  who  came  up  at  a  brisk  gallop.  As  they  drew 
nearer,  she  perceived  they  were  zaptiehs,  which  only 
added  to  her  horror. 

She  quickened  her  footsteps,  sliding  from  shadow  to 
shadow  and  rock  to  rock,  underneath  the  banks,  with 
that  peculiar  and  inimitable  grace  of  movement  which 
was  her  heritage  —  the  badge  of  her  kinship  with  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  477 

untaught  and  untamed  creatures  of  the  wilderness,  whose 
every  motion  is  in  harmony  with  Nature. 

She  was  greatly  relieved  when  she  reached  the  bottom 
of  the  glen  —  the  bottom  such  as  she  knew  it.  For  she 
had  not  penetrated  farther,  and  had  no  knowledge  that, 
beyond,  the  silvery  waters,  fed  by  many  a  tributary  brook 
and  streamlet,  at  last,  by  many  a  tortuous  bend  and  salta 
tory  plunge,  found  a  channel  for  itself  to  the  Ghor,  and 
through  a  deep  and  narrow  chasm  fell  foaming  into  the 
already  muddy  Jordan. 

Yet  the  influence  of  a  certain  dread  overshadowed 
her.  She  could  not  shake  it  off. 

Having  relieved  herself  of  her  burden,  she  seated  her 
self  on  a  broken  slab  of  rock  near  the  water,  her  favourite 
resting-place. 

She  had  placed  her  child,  carefully  wrapped  up,  in  the 
shelter  of  the  adjoining  cliff,  that  he  might  not  be  dis 
turbed  by  her  movements.  He  was  her  comfort  and  her 
terror,  her  sorrow  and  her  joy,  her  hope  and  her  despair. 
He  was  Hassan's  child.  That  was  her  constant  thought. 
The  handsome  young  shepherd  had  stamped  his  image 
on  him.  She  could  not  look  at  the  boy  without  thinking 
of  Hassan  —  without  seeing  him.  It  was  as  if  she  heard 
him  always  saying  the  words  she  ever  kept  repeating: 
"  Now,  Hilwe,  take  care  of  my  child." 

The  responsibility  of  defending  and  protecting  the  boy 
was  upon  her.  This  was  almost  as  strong  as  her  love 
for  him,  —  though  nothing,  hardly  her  love  for  Hassan 
himself,  could  be  as  strong  as  that.  But  it  was  another 
sort  of  love  —  entirely  so.  This  she  felt  without  reason 
ing  about  it.  Certain  it  was  she  loved  Hassan  none  the 
less,  but  all  the  more  because  of  the  child. 

How  strangely  sorrowful  and  fearfully  lonely  was  the 
wild,  weird  landscape  which  surrounded  her.  And  over 
her  the  oppressiveness  of  that  big,  unbroken,  monotonous 
sky  —  the  eternal  blue  —  brooding,  weighed  her  down 
with  its  dreadful  omens  of  unexpressed  fatality,  what 
ever  it  might  be.  A  cloud  would  have  been  a  relief,  as 
something  tangible,  recognisable,  definite. 

Why  did  all  this  affect  her  as  never  before?  The 
closely  surrounding  cliffs  made  it  seem  like  a  prison. 


478  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

The  stream  of  water,  so  rampant  during  the  rainy  season, 
was  daily  growing  less  under  that  burning,  cloudless  sky. 
The  sources  of  the  brook  were  failing,  she  feared.  It 
would  soon  dwindle  to  a  thread,  and  then  dry  up.  The 
very  flowers  took  on  an  inimical  aspect. 

From  among  the  loose  stones  near  by  shot  up,  tall, 
stately,  and  impressive,  the  great  purple-black  arum, 
its  long  yellow  spadix,  in  fine  contrast,  protruding  prom 
inently  from  its  velvety  sheath,  sprinkled  with  golden 
dust,  a  very  Lothario  —  a  voluptuous  lordling  of  flowers. 
Like  Dives,  the  wicked  rich  man,  clothed  in  purple,  and 
faring  sumptuously,  it  seemed  to  hold  itself  aloof,  in  its 
aristocratic  exclusiveness,  from  contact  of  all  beggarly 
flowers,  while,  with  somewhat  of  a  Mephistophelian  atti 
tude  and  mien,  a  more  evil-looking  plant,  —  one  of  the 
scrophularia  —  a  tawny,  crawling  thing  with  big  lips 
splotched  with  black,  clung  to  a  piece  of  old  ruined 
wall,  as  if  malevolently  watching  her.  Nearer,  the  spiny 
hyssop  reached  down  its  sharp  claws. 

When  Hilwe  had  consoled  herself  with  the  thought 
that  she  had  escaped  the  observation  of  the  zaptiehs, 
she  had  deceived  herself.  Yet  she  might  have  known 
better.  The  Oriental  "  has  eyes  in  his  pole,"  as  they  say. 
Nothing  escapes  him.  His  curiosity  and  suspicion  and 
sweep  of  eye  are  unbounded,  and  they  all  act  in  concert 
with  detective  purpose.  It  seems  impossible  to  do  any 
thing  that  he  will  not  see.  He  even  sees  you  coming 
before  you  come,  and  he  beholds  in  imagination  what  he 
thinks  you  would  do.  The  prophetic  instinct  possesses 
him.  It  is  his  by  inheritance.  The  act  in  prospectn  is 
revealed  to  him.  When  you  least  anticipate  it,  he  is 
upon  you. 

It  is  wonderful  to  find  at  what  distances  he  can  see 
minute  objects,  and  with  what  suddenness  those  deep 
unearthly  eyes  of  his  are  unexpectedly  turned  upon  the 
unconscious  individual.  As  he  stands  talking  to  you  he 
will  have  read  every  word  of  the  letter  you  have  been 
writing  that  lies  upon  your  desk.  Should  the  drawer  of 
your  bureau  at  the  other  end  of  the  room  be  open,  he 
will  manage,  in  the  most  natural  manner,  to  get  to  it 
before  you  are  aware,  and  will  know  all  its  contents, 
almost  at  a  glance. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  479 

This  trait  —  this  power  of  the  eye  and  of  spirit  vision 
is  seen  in  the  frequent  allusions  in  the  Bible  to  eyes. 
"  Thou,  God,  seest  me,"  said  Hagar.  The  eyes  of  the 
Lord  are  spoken  of  as  being  "  in  every  place,"  and  as 
"  running  to  and  fro  "  ;  the  wheels  of  the  living  creatures, 
in  Ezekiel,  are  described  as  being  "full  of  eyes,"  and  the 
beasts  before  the  throne  in  Revelation  as  "  full  of  eyes 
before  and  behind,"  and  "  full  of  eyes  inside." 

The  zaptiehs  were  those  of  Kiamil  Aga's  squad,  and 
Kiamil  was  with  them.  In  no  sense  were  they  deficient 
in  the  direction  referred  to,  —  rather,  their  raids,  charac 
terised  by  marauding  and  ravaging,  had  quickened  and 
sharpened  their  natural  gifts.  Their  eyes  were  like 
hawks'  eyes ;  they  could  see  the  prey  from  far ;  they 
could  gaze  into  the  sun,  like  the  eagle. 

They  had  seen  Hilwe,  and  had  noted  her  hurried  escape 
into  the  ravine.  When  they  came  to  the  hollow  they 
drew  rein,  and  Kiamil  called  Assad  to  him. 

"  Ride  on  to  the  next  village,  and  wait  there  for  me," 
he  said.  "  I  shall  be  detained  here  a  little  while,  but 
shall  soon  overtake  thee." 

He  made  some  trifling  excuse,  the  first  that  suggested 
itself  to  him;  and  Assad  was  not  deceived. 

"  We  can  bide  here  for  thee,"  the  sergeant  suggested. 

"  Nay,  it  is  not  necessary,"  replied  Kiamil.  "  Ride 
on ;  and  thou  canst  water  the  horses  while  waiting  for 
me." 

When  the  men  had  left,  the  aga  turned  without  delay, 
and  rode  down  the  slope  into  the  hollow.  Reaching  the 
steeper  descent  which  ended  in  the  ravine  and  chasm, 
and  where  the  loose  fragments  of  rocks  and  stones  made 
perilous  footing  for  the  horseman,  he  dismounted,  not 
disinclined  to  stretch  his  legs  after  his  long  gallop,  and, 
passing  the  bridle  over  his  arm,  led  the  faithful  mare  the 
remainder  of  the  way. 

Had  she  been  able  to  speak,  how  many  a  strange  and 
evil  adventure  into  which  she  had  been  dragged  by  her 
master  could  the  sagacious  creature  have  told  of!  But 
those  Arab  horses,  it  must  be  admitted,  come  very  near 
to  speaking. 

The    immunity   from    punishment,  or   even   censure, 


480  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

which  hitherto  had  marked  the  career  of  Kiamil  Aga 
had  only  encouraged  him  in  the  indulgence  of  more  fla 
grant  excesses.  He  flattered  himself  that  his  cleverness 
and  adroitness  would  continue  to  extricate  him  from 
adverse  consequences,  as  they  had  in  the  past;  and  he 
grew  more  careless,  and  plunged  deeper  and  deeper  into 
the  Stygian  mire. 

Finding  that  the  feet  of  the  mare  made  altogether  too 
sonorous  and  too  loud  a  clatter  among  the  multitudinous 
flakes  and  chips  of  rock  that  strewed  the  defile,  which 
might  prove  dangerous  to  his  purpose,  as  it  seemed  as 
though  the  very  stones  were  crying  out,  he  fastened  her 
securely  in  a  sheltered  spot,  determined  to  proceed  alone, 
and  cautiously  reconnoitre,  not  knowing  how  many  per 
sons  he  might  encounter  in  this  remote  spot.  Notwith 
standing  his  ardent  temperament,  the  captain  rarely 
dispensed  with  a.  certain  amount  of  caution  in  his  pro 
ceedings.  Perhaps  it  might  be  said  to  be  the  point  at 
which  his  conscience  principally  manifested  itself. 

At  last  he  turned  the  corner  of  the  jutting  cliff, 
which  gave  a  full  view  of  the  narrow  canon-like  glen, 
with  the  stream  running  through,  and  Hilwe  seated  by 
the  water. 

As  he  saw  and  recognised  her,  his  whole  attitude 
changed.  He  drew  nearer  to  her,  slowly,  as  it  appeared 
to  him,  but  with  an  eagerness  which  was  so  intense, 
he  felt  an  influence  go  out  of  him,  precede  him,  and 
take  possession  of  her  in  advance.  He  breathed  deep. 
He  trembled.  His  eyes,  fixed  upon  her,  dilated  and 
brightened.  He  was  transfigured. 

"It  is  she,  — the  beautiful  Hilwe.  I  knew  her  the 
moment  I  saw  her,"  he  said. 

Hilwe  had  felt  that  indescribable  sensation  which 
we  all,  at  one  time  or  other,  have  experienced  in  some 
slight  degree,  —  the  impression  of  the  presence  or 
approach  of  another;  but  had  put  forth  an  effort  to 
counteract  it,  and  dismiss  it,  as  unworthy  of  accept 
ance,  —  she  had  been  so  free  from  intrusion  ever  since 
her  abode  there.  She  even  resisted  the  impulse  to 
raise  her  eyes  and  look,  with  the  superstition  that  this 
would  bring  what  she  dreaded. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  481 

So  absorbed  was  she  by  her  conflicting  thoughts,  she 
rather  felt  than  noticed  the  young  officer's  approach. 
Nor  did  she  perceive  him  till  his  shadow  almost  fell 
upon  her,  and  he  stood  before  her,  in  all  the  insinuat 
ing  attractiveness  for  which  he  was  noted. 

He  drew  closer  with  great  gentleness  and  courtesy. 

His  manner  was  almost  modest. 

If  anything,  he  was  more  fascinating  than  ever.  He 
had  gained  in  weight,  which  was  an  improvement  to 
his  figure.  A  more  masculine  fulness  and  a  finer 
muscular  development  distinguished  him;  while  a 
deeper  bronze  upon  his  cheek  added  the  finishing  touch 
to  his  most  prepossessing  exterior.  His  frequent  exer 
cise  in  the  open  air  had  brought  this  result.  He  was 
dressed  with  his  usual  care  and  pride.  His  shapely 
limbs,  of  which  he  was  so  vain,  were  luxuriously  encased 
in  rich  and  perfectly-fitting  uniform,  which  revealed 
him  to  the  best  advantage.  All  this  was  apparent  at  a 
glance. 

He  saluted  her  with  an  accomplished  grace,  a  blend 
ing  of  the  military  and  the  courtly  that  was  almost 
reassuring;  and,  without  thinking,  she  returned  his 
salutation  in  her  unaffected  natural  manner. 

How  smooth  and  refined  were  his  motions,  his  words, 
and  his  actions ! 

He  continued  to  speak  kindly;  and  then,  expressing 
his  surprise  at  finding  her  in  that  wild  and  lonely 
place,  offered  to  conduct  her  to  her  home  or  to  some 
safe  abode. 

At  this  she  only  shook  her  head. 

Finally  he  protested  his  love  for  her:  — 

"  Ever  since  I  first  saw  thee,  thou  hast  been  in  my 
mind,"  he  said.  "I  love  thee  with  my  whole  soul. 
Wilt  thou  not  have  compassion  on  me,  and  return  my 
devotion?  " 

He  spoke  with  such  vehemence,  such  animated 
fervour  and  earnestness,  his  words  had  that  genuine 
ring  of  feeling  which  goes  far  with  woman. 

"Wilt  thou  not  speak?"  he  continued.  "Can  I 
not  move  thee?  Why  dost  thou  harden  thy  heart 
against  me  ? " 

3' 


482  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

She  was  greatly  alarmed.  She  had  not  attempted  to 
reply,  but  remained  silent,  through  embarrassment  and 
fear. 

Looking  around,  in  the  direction  of  where  she  had 
left  her  child,  she  suddenly  sprang  to  her  feet,  and 
made  a  determined  effort  to  escape. 

"  Ah,  no,  no !  thou  must  not  fly.  Thou  wouldst  not 
treat  me  so  badly,"  he  said,  catching  her  in  his  arms. 
"  Have  I  not  told  thee  that  I  love  thee  ?  I  would  do 
thee  no  harm,  believe  me." 

"  Let  me  go,  I  beseech  of  thee ! "  she  pleaded. 
"How  canst  thou  behave  so  treacherously?" 

She  struggled  to  free  herself;  but  he  held  her  all  the 
more  tightly. 

"Nay;  I  have  thee  now,"  he  said  exultantly,  a 
triumphant  smile  parting  his  lips  and  lighting  up  his 
face.  "  I  will  not  let  thee  go.  Thou  canst  not  escape 
me.  It  is  useless  for  thee  to  struggle." 

The  only  excuse  he  had,  if  excuse  there  can  be,  was 
that  he  passionately  loved  her. 

"  Hast  thou  no  pity  ?  Act  not  so  foolishly.  Knowest 
thou  not  I  am  another's?" 

"  Ah,  I  count  that  as  naught !  Thy  lover  hath  for 
saken  thee,  and  gone  into  a  far  country.  Hath  he  not 
been  false  to  thee?  Hath  he  not  taken  to  him  other 
wives,  of  the  strange  women  of  the  land  ?  The  Greek 
women  are  fair  to  look  upon,  and  wily.  They  have 
golden  hair  like  the  sunbeams  and  eyes  blue  as  the 
heavens,  — such  as  men  like  Hassan  love.  And,  since, 
hath  he  not  been  slain  in  battle?  Yea,  thou  mayst 
believe  it.  Is  it  not  so  reported  to  us?  Thou  shalt 
never  see  his  face  again." 

Hilwe  shrieked  with  horror  and  grief  as  she  heard 
the  fatal  words. 

"Nor  is  it  as  though  thou  hadst  been  his  widow,"  he 
continued.  "  Why  shouldst  thou  mourn  for  him  ?  And 
how  couldst  thou,  in  any  case,  prefer  such  an  one  to 
me,  his  master,  —  who  am  better  every  way,  —  I  who 
love  thee  so, — I  who  am  here  present  with  thee? 
What  is  a  dead  man  to  me  ? " 

"  Release   me,   if   thou   hast    any   kindness   or   love 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  483 

for   me,   as  thou  sayest  them  hast,"  she  besought  of 
him. 

"  Ah,  that  is  why  I  cannot !  " 

He  pressed  his  face  against  hers  as  he  spoke. 

She  cried  aloud  and  screamed,  as  she  tried  to  deliver 
herself  from  him. 

In  the  uninhabited,  empty  place  her  cries  were  lost. 
The  air  seemed  to  dissipate  them,  or  drink  them  up. 
There  was  none  to  hear  them,  or  to  help  her,  as  he 
plainly  told  her. 

Her  struggles  were  fast  exhausting  her. 

"  Canst  thou  not  return  my  love,  or  show  me  a  little 
kindness?  "  he  asked,  as  he  commenced  to  kiss  her. 

In  a  moment,  with  an  effort  that  was  as  sublime  in 
its  purity,  grace  and  strength  as  it  was  unexpected  of 
the  captain  of  zaptiehs,  she  thrust  him  from  her. 
Taken  unawares,  he  staggered  backward ;  and  she, 
bounding  across  the  rocks,  reached  the  spot  where  her 
child  lay  sleeping. 

Snatching  the  boy  from  the  ground,  she  slung  him 
over  her  shoulders,  and  then  turned  to  make  her  way 
to  where  the  pile  of  stones  gave  access  to  the  steps  or 
notches  cut  in  the  rock  leading  to  the  lower  shelf  of 
the  cliff. 

But  the  aga,  quickly  recovering  himself,  had  fol 
lowed  her,  and  was  already  between  her  and  the  place 
of  ascent. 

Without  a  second's  hesitation,  she  began  climbing 
the  cliff  where  she  stood. 

To  attempt  this  would  have  seemed  folly  to  her  at 
any  other  time,  but  now  it  was  her  only  hope  of  escape ; 
as  she  well  knew  that,  upon  the  ground,  encumbered 
with  her  child,  the  aga  could  easily  outrun  and  capture 
her. 

He  was  too  full  of  his  purpose,  —  too  thoroughly 
driven  of  his  passion  to  give  way  very  easily.  Head 
long  he  went,  determined  to  gain  his  end,  regardless 
of  risks  or  consequences.  The  obstacles  he  had  met 
with,  and  his  former  thwarting,  only  incited  him  the 
more  fiercely  to  conquer  now.  It  was  now  or  never 
with  him. 


484  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

The  climbing  an  apparently  inaccessible  height  to 
escape  her  pursuer,  her  little  child  fastened  on  her 
back,  —  his  weight  dragging  about  her  neck,  —  the 
horror  of  it  all,  who  can  describe  it?  Clinging  with 
the  last  remnant  of  her  strength  to  the  scant  mould  and 
the  stunted  vegetation  growing  out  of  it,  and  the  rock 
they  at  wide  intervals  partially  covered,  almost  despair 
ing  of  escape,  the  beads  of  moisture,  like  the  damp 
of  death,  gathering  on  her  brow,  her  spent  fingers  slip 
ping  from  their  hold,  her  heart  failing  her,  —  it  was 
like  some  fearful  nightmare,  the  terror  that  overwhelms 
in  a  dream  of  darkness,  rather  than  reality.  Yet  is  the 
great  terror  very  real  to  such  as  find  themselves  within 
its  shadowy  power. 

The  captain  had  rushed  in  pursuit  of  Hilvve  up  the 
steep  ascent,  and,  in  his  fierce  excitement,  paused  not 
at  the  cliff,  but  began  at  once  climbing  after  her. 

His  heavy  cavalry  boots  were,  however,  an  encum 
brance  to  him,  and  he  had  more  than  one  severe  slip 
from  his  insecure  foothold. 

Hilwe,  with  her  naked  feet  and  her  life-long  expe 
rience  in  clambering  up  the  rocky  acclivities  of  the  hill- 
country,  had  decidedly  the  advantage  of  him  in  this 
respect.  But  she  was  weighted  and  handicapped  with 
her  child.  Besides,  the  higher  she  went  the  more 
difficult  became  the  ascent,  the  rock  presenting  scarce 
a  vantage-point  for  the  hand  to  grasp,  or  the  foot  to 
rest  upon.  The  smoothness  and  steepness  of  the  upper 
part  of  the  cliff  were  the  obstacles  he  counted  on  to 
arrest  her  progress,  and  deliver  her  into  his  power. 

Agile  and  capable  as  was  the  aga,  his  impetuosity 
on  this  occasion  was  an  impediment  to  him.  He  felt 
so  sure  of  accomplishing  his  purpose,  he  was  not  as 
careful  in  the  means  to  that  end  as  he  should  have 
been.  Flushed,  ablaze  and  radiant  with  his  anticipated 
triumph,  on  the  verge  of  victory  as  he  thought  him 
self,  a  mis-step  brought  him  to  grief.  He  failed  in 
his  footing,  slipped  in  a  violent  effort  to  recover  him 
self,  and  completely  lost  his  hold.  He  fell  to  the 
bottom  of  the  cliff,  as  lead  sinks  in  water. 

The  dull,   heavy  thud  told  the  story.     Though  the 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  485 

height  from  which  he  fell  was  not  great,  his  late  acces 
sion  of  avoirdupois  had  not  helped  to  meliorate  the 
force  of  the  concussion.  He  had  received  a  serious 
shock  and  was  considerably  hurt.  But  to  be  mortified, 
degraded  in  the  presence  of  a  woman,  to  fail  where  she 
was  succeeding,  — 'that  was  worst  of  all,  that  was  unen 
durable  to  the  vanity  of  the  pretentious  young  officer. 

His  fine  feathers  had  been  ruffled,  his  elegant  raiment 
soiled  and  discomposed,  his  handsome  limbs  bruised; 
but  he  would  not  let  her  perceive  any  of  this,  or  a 
particle  of  what  he  suffered. 

He  rushed  upon  his  object,  like  one  insensate,  and 
again  attacked  the  cliff.  He  climbed  with  fiercer 
energy,  the  frenzied  passion  in  him  setting  him  on 
fire. 

"Think  not  thou  shalt  escape  me.  I  shall  have  thee 
yet,"  he  shouted,  as  he  approached  her. 

He  was  growing  savage. 

His  square  and  solid  shoulders  heaved;  his  eyes 
blazed;  his  stalwart  legs  braced  themselves  confi 
dently;  he  breathed  hard  and  deep  through  his  dilated 
nostrils,  as  he  steadied  himself  and  pressed  close  to 
the  ribbed,  unfeeling  precipice,  as  though  it  were 
something  to  love.  He  felt  no  more  the  bruises  that 
were  upon  his  body.  A  proud  joy  warmed  his  heart. 
His  life  leaped  ungovernable  within  him,  while  he 
tried  to  be  discreet. 

"Ah,  I  shall  take  care  and  be  sure,  this  time!"  he 
muttered  between  his  full-drawn  breathings.  "My 
good  fortune  will  not  forsake  me  now.  I  shall  be 
successful." 

Her  case  was  desperate.  He  certainly  was  close 
upon  her.  She  dared  not  look  down.  She  had  reached 
the  smooth  part  of  the  rocky  wall,  where  the  beetling 
crag  overhung  so  forbiddingly;  and  finding  the  hope 
lessness  of  further  effort  in  that  direction,  had  gradu 
ally  worked  to  the  left,  with  the  intent  to  reach,  if 
possible,  the  shallow  extremity  of  the  upper  ledge,  and 
so  gain  her  cave  of  refuge. 

"If  I  were  only  there,"  she  said,  "I  could  defend 
myself  against  attack,  and  afterwards  escape." 


486  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

No  wonder  that  her  head  became  dizzy !  No  wonder 
that  her  heart  failed  her!  But  still  she  clung  to  the 
rock  and  the  crumbling  soil  almost  parting  from  the 
rock,  and  heroically  struggled  to  evade  him. 

Love,  hope,  fear  —  hope  that  lost  itself  in  fear,  and 
became  distracted  and  bewildered,  and  despairing,  till 
it  could  no  longer  be  recognised  as  hope  —  urged  her 
with  a  blind  instinct,  even  when  her  mind  trembled, 
and  she  scarce  knew  what  she  did. 

Oh,  the  agonised  clutching!  Were  her  tired  and 
numb  fingers  slipping?  —  her  strength  becoming  ex 
hausted?  Had  she  let  go?  Was  she  falling  down 
ward,  —  downward,  with  inevitable  destruction  beneath  ? 
Her  head  grew  confused,  and  she  believed  this,  till 
she  felt  herself  sink  through  the  parting  air,  expecting 
every  instant  that  her  child  and  herself  would  be 
dashed  in  pieces  on  the  jagged  rocks  below. 

Was  she  still  clinging  to  the  brittle  soil,  —  the  scanty 
herbage,  —  the  wrinkled  rock? 

She  was  nearing  the  end  of  her  strength.  All  would 
soon  be  over.  She  could  endure  no  more. 

"  O  Allah,  help  !  " 

The  words  escaped  in  a  wail  from  her  parched  throat. 
The  shallow  fissile  mould  parted  and  broke  away  com 
pletely.  Her  fingers  still  clutched  a  handful  of  it  as 
with  a  death  grasp,  and  with  closed  eyes  she  sank,  she 
fell.  She  was  lost.  She  knew  no  more.  .  .  . 

She  knew  no  more.  But  it  was  only  for  a  little  while. 
She  expected  to  be  dashed  in  pieces  with  her  child.  As 
she  sank  through  the  air  she  grew  faint,  and  resigned 
herself  to  the  inevitable. 

How  much  may  be  included  in  a  second  of  time ! 

She  had  done  what  she  could.  She  was  sacrificing 
her  life  for  her  honour  and  her  child.  All  was  over. 
Now  the  action  had  passed  from  her  into  the  greater 
power,  —  the  Supreme,  —  as  men  speak  and  reason. 
Yet  is  it  not  in  this  we  ever  live  and  move  and  have  our 
being?  Is  not  all  Nature  a  manifestation  of  that  power? 

In  the  midst  of  that  deathly  descent  she  felt  herself 
suddenly  seized,  as  in  the  grasp  of  a  mighty  hand.  She 
was  stayed,  —  uplifted,  —  supported.  It  was  like  a 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  487 

miracle.  As  she  timidly  opened  her  eyes  she  at  once 
perceived  her  deliverance.  A  sharp,  projecting  spur  of 
the  rock,  not  far  below  the  level  of  the  first  ledge  or 
shelf  of  the  cliff,  had  in  that  fearful  plunge  caught  her 
raiment  and  held  her  from  destruction. 

Her  first  impulse  was  to  see  that  her  child  was  safe 
and  uninjured.  There  was  a  startled  look  in  his  eyes ; 
but,  not  knowing  what  the  trouble  meant,  the  brave  boy 
was  not  greatly  frightened,  and  did  not  cry,  being  soon 
reassured  by  her  consoling  words. 

She  was  in  such  a  position  that  with  care  she  could 
easily  reach  the  ledge,  while  through  the  smooth  sur 
face  of  the  intervening  rock  she  was  out  of  immediate 
danger  from  the  aga. 

Freeing  her  dress,  she  gradually  worked  her  way  to 
the  point  of  escape  indicated. 

But  the  aga,  instantly  anticipating  her  intention  and 
knowing  he  could  not  reach  her  from  his  present  posi 
tion,  commenced  to  descend  the  face  of  the  cliff,  a  move 
ment  deftly  and  rapidly  accomplished  by  him. 

"  She  is  giving  me  much  trouble,  but  I  shall  have  her 
in  the  end,"  he  said. 

Having  gained  the  ledge,  Hilwe  soon  ran  along  it,  to 
the  recess  in  which  she  at  first  had  found  the  ladder,  and 
where  for  security  she  always  hid  it  when  leaving,  that  it 
might  not  attract  attention  to  her  retreat. 

Meanwhile,  the  captain's  quick  glance  had  discerned 
the  piled  stones  and  the  steps  leading  to  the  ledge, 
which  he  was  not  slow  in  using.  By  the  time  Hilwe  had 
fitted  the  ladder  in  place  and  was  half-way  up  it,  Kiamil 
was  at  its  foot.  How  quick  were  his  strides  to  reach  it ! 
Plow  eagerly  he  stepped  up  the  rounds  of  the  rudely- 
constructed  thing,  that  bent  and  swayed  beneath  his 
weight ! 

"I  have  tracked  thee  to  thy  den,"  he  said.  "After 
all,  I  have  conquered.  There  is  no  escape  for  thee  now." 

A  look  of  immeasurable  satisfaction  lighted  his  face. 

She  had  barely  reached  the  top  of  the  ladder  and  the 
upper  ledge  where  was  her  cave  when  the  determined 
young  officer  had  covered  nearly  two-thirds  of  the  way 
in  pursuit. 


488  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Hilwe  had  seen  him  coming,  and  had  hoped  to  have 
gained  the  top  and  drawn  up  the  ladder  before  he  had 
put  his  foot  upon  it;  but  he  had  been  too  quick  for 
that.  Now  an  awful  extremity,  utterly  unanticipated, 
faced  her. 

She  called  to  him,  warning  him  not  to  follow.  But 
she  only  heard  his  mocking  laugh  in  reply. 

"  Desist !  "  she  cried  ;  "  come  no  farther,  or  thy  life  is 
in  danger !  " 

She  shook  the  ladder  threateningly,  and  partly  lifted 
the  upper  end  from  the  notches  in  which  it  rested. 

"  Ah,  thou  wouldst  not  harden  thy  heart  against  me ! 
Thou  wouldst  not  treat  me  so  cruelly,  and  only  because 
I  love  thee  !  " 

As  he  spoke,  he  looked  up  smiling  in  her  face.  How 
confident  he  was !  He  enjoyed  the  position,  and  did 
not  think  she  would  carry  out  her  threat. 

One  of  the  rounds  had  given  way  and  snapped  beneath 
him,  which  had  delayed  him. 

"  Believe  me  —  believe  what  I  tell  thee,"  she  said.  "  If 
thou  comest  one  step  farther,  I  shall  fling  the  ladder 
backward.  Thy  life  is  in  peril." 

"  Thou  knowest  I  shall  have  thee.  I  am  determined 
to  make  thee  love  me,"  was  his  warm  and  easy  answer. 
"  Nay,  I  believe  that  at  heart  thou  lovest  me." 

Again  he  laughed,  —  that  self-indulgent  laugh. 

"Wilt  thou  not  go  back  ere  it  is  too  late?  " 

"  Ah,  no,  no  !     Thou  wouldst  not  hurt  me." 

There  was  a  tone  of  defiance  as  well  as  of  cajolery  in 
his  voice,  and  he  continued  to  ascend.  He  was  now  very 
near  the  top. 

"  Then  thy  blood  be  upon  thine  own  head,"  she  said. 
"  Thou  hast  driven  me  to  extremity.  God  help  me  !  I 
have  naught  else  left  to  do." 

Her  face  was  ashy  pale.  The  lines  of  her  features 
grew  rigid  with  pain. 

She  pushed  out  the  head  of  the  ladder  with  what  she 
thought  all  her  might.  He  was  so  near  the  top  it  re 
quired  more  exertion  to  move  it  than  she  had  supposed 
necessary.  He  had  counted  on  this,  and  tried  to  seize 
her  as  she  bent  from  above. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  489 

Then  she  put  forth  additional  strength,  fearing  it  was 
not  enough. 

Out,  out  went  the  ladder,  —  farther,  —  farther,  —  still 
farther. 

The  expression  of  mingled  horror  and  rage  that 
gathered  in  his  eyes  had  not  yet  blotted  out  the 
smile  that  lingered  on  his  lips.  A  cry  for  mercy  was 
strangled  in  his  throat.  He  clung  to  the  ladder  in  a 
frenzy  of  despair,  but  spoke  not  a  word. 

For  an  instant  that  senseless  thing  of  wood  stood 
erect,  wavering,  as  if  animate,  and  undecided  which  way 
it  would  elect  to  fall.  Then  it  toppled  over,  and  plunged 
with  a  crash  into  the  gorge. 

The  captain  of  zaptiehs  lay  broken,  maimed,  and 
senseless  at  the  foot  of  the  cliff. 

A  groan  of  utter  misery  burst  from  Hilwe's  lips  as  she 
covered  her  face  with  her  hands  and  sank  backward  upon 
the  narrow  ledge. 

That  day  had  been  to  her  as  a  hired  assassin  who  comes 
to  a  man  with  smiling  face,  and  asks,  "  Is  it  well  with 
thee,  my  brother?"  and  stabs  him  under  the  fifth  rib. 


CHAPTER   XLV 

AS  Hilwe,  gaining  sufficient  courage,  looked  down 
from  the  rocky  ledge  of  her  safety,  and  saw  the 
aga,  far  below,  in  that  most  bitter  extremity,  an  un 
speakable  horror  possessed  her. 

The  strength  which  had  carried  her  through  her  dire 
ordeal  was  expended.  She  was  weak  as  water. 

She  wondered  at  what  she  had  done.  She  could 
scarcely  believe  it.  It  seemed  the  act  of  another. 

Had  she  murdered  a  man?  Had  she  taken  life  — 
even  to  preserve  her  honour? 

His  half-strangled  cry  for  mercy  was  ringing  in  her 
ears.  The  stain  of  blood  was  upon  her. 

It  was  impossible  but  that  a  feeling  of  pity  and  remorse 
mingled  with  the  rush,  the  torrent  of  grief,  clamour  and 
reproach  which  inundated  her  soul. 


490  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

There  he  lay,  crushed  and  dying,  that  proud  hand 
some  young  man,  late  so  full  of  life  and  energy.  His 
crime  had  been  love  for  her  —  sinful  love,  it  is  true.  But 
how  terrible  had  been  his  punishment !  Was  it  not  ex 
piatory?  Is  not  all  sin  —  of  every  kind  and  shape  —  sin 
of  far  deeper  dye  than  his,  capable  of  expurgation, 
amenable  to  sacrificial  atonement?  Is  it  not  a  dogma  of 
human  nature  and  of  all  religions  —  the  Egyptian, 
Pagan,  Jewish,  Christian,  and  Mohammedan? 

True,  in  his  case  there  had  been  no  repentance,  nor 
place  for  regret.  In  his  condemnation  and  punishment, 
in  which  she  was  judge  and  executioner,  there  was  no 
room  for  his  choice  or  interference,  or,  at  least,  not  such 
as  he  accepted.  But  retributive  justice  had  been  so 
swift,  so  sure,  so  thorough  and  so  terrible,  it  carried  with 
it  a  certain  commiseration  for  the  guilty. 

When  the  end  had  been  reached,  and  all  was  over, 
and  she  was  saved,  the  woman's  heart  melted  —  relented. 
She  felt  sorry  for  him.  She  would  have  gone  down,  and 
ministered  to  him,  and  done  what  she  could  to  ease  his 
last  moments,  bringing  him  water  to  cool  his  fevered 
state  ;  but  she  dared  not.  Something  warned  her  not  to 
venture,  —  to  beware  —  beware  !  He  was  not  to  be 
trusted.  Might  it  not  be  that  his  predominant  passion 
would  gather  force  at  the  close?  It  was  even  possible 
his  condition  was  not  as  serious  as  it  seemed  to  be. 

"  No,  I  dare  not  go  down,  or  near  him.  As  it  is,  I 
have  delayed  too  long  already.  Some  of  his  com 
panions  may  come  here  seeking  him,  and  find  me  and 
my  child." 

The  thought  was  sufficient  to  add  another  and  the 
final  spur  to  her  fears. 

She  fled,  as  one  demented,  from  the  narrow  gorge  in 
which  she  had  for  so  many  days  dwelt  securely  and 
unmolested. 

Pursued  by  the  phantom  image  of  the  dead  or  dying 
aga,  she  saw  him,  prostrate,  either  still  and  cold,  or  in 
the  mortal  agony,  writhing  in  torture,  drawing  up  his 
limbs  to  him  in  the  sharpness  of  death  —  the  pang  and 
the  spasm  that  let  out  the  life.  For  she  was  sure  that  if 
he  was  not  dead,  he  could  not  long  survive. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  491 

How  grand,  how  awful  he  looked,  lifted  up  on  that 
scaffold-like  ladder,  facing  her,  before  he  went  down; 
casting  that  glance  of  silent  reproach  at  her,  for  what 
seemed  an  eternity !  She  saw  the  lingering  smile  of 
assurance  on  his  lips  pass  into  horror  and  rage.  She 
could  not  bear  it.  She  fled  and  knew  not  whither.  To 
escape  —  to  get  away  from  this  terror  and  the  place 
that  held  it  was  her  one  intolerant  desire. 

But  could  she  escape  it?  Could  she  get  away  from 
it? 

It  went  with  her.  It  ever  remained  with  her,  as  she 
soon  found. 

"  I  have  slain  a  man  in  his  prime,  in  the  fulness  of  his 
hope.  I  have  laid  low  a  strong  man,  in  the  flush  of  his 
promise." 

These  were  the  thoughts  and  the  words  which  con 
tinually  haunted  her,  and  made  themselves  felt,  even 
through  the  overwhelming  agony  of  grief  that  had  fallen 
upon  her  when  the  aga  had  told  her  of  Hassan's  death 
and  false-heartedness. 

Through  desolate  places  that  she  knew  not,  and  where 
the  very  sky  looked  down  on  her  with  hard  unfriendly 
eye  that  would  not  pity  but  condemned,  she  wandered 
on  —  on,  lost,  despised,  forsaken. 

As  she  looked  back,  when  she  dared  to  look  back,  it 
seemed  as  if  she  had  always  been  grieving  and  wander 
ing.  As  if  there  was  never  a  time  in  which  she  had  not 
been  a  fugitive.  As  if  the  very  ground  she  trod  on 
hated  and  loathed  her,  and,  casting  her  forth,  would 
have  none  of  her,  and  urged  her  onward. 

"  Away  with  thee  !  "  it  cried.  "  Away  from  me,  mur 
deress  !  What  have  I  to  do  with  such  as  thou  art?  " 

And  the  night  was  no  blacker  than  the  day,  for  it  was 
all  night  with  her.  And  the  day  brought  no  light,  for 
the  darkness  of  her  soul  shut  it  out  from  her. 


492  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


CHAPTER   XLVI 

WHEN  hour  after  hour  passed  by,  and  there  was 
no  appearance  of  the  aga,  his  men  began  to 
be  uneasy  at  his  delay ;  and  more  than  once  Assad  went 
up  on  the  look-out  point  of  the  village,  where  they 
awaited  him,  to  reconnoitre,  and  try  if  he  could  not 
catch  a  glimpse  of  his  errant  captain. 

At  first  they  had  joked  about  it,  and  indulged  in  many 
questionable  pleasantries  at  the  aga's  expense,  after 
their  manner. 

"  The  aga  is  enjoying  himself.  He  is  having  a  fine 
time,"  was  Assad's  conjecture,  well  founded,  as  he  sup 
posed,  from  former  experiences. 

They  had  watered  the  horses,  and,  as  it  grew  later, 
had  fed  them  out  of  the  peasants'  store  of  provender. 
They,  too,  had  their  own  inclinations  to  gratify,  and 
while  they  waited  did  not  fail  to  amuse  themselves  in 
such  ways  as  the  place  afforded.  They  smoked,  they 
told  stories,  played  at  dice,  draughts,  or  other  games  of 
chance,  drank  coffee,  and  when  they  grew  hungry,  ate  of 
the  refreshments  which  were  liberally  provided  for  them. 
To  gain  the  goodwill  of  the  zaptiehs,  and  with  the  hope 
of  escaping  plunder  and  worse  treatment,  the  fellaheen 
will  give  of  their  best  to  these  terrors  of  the  Sultan.  But 
fear,  not  love,  is  the  governing  motive. 

Assad  at  length  awoke  to  the  conviction  that  some 
thing  serious  must  have  occurred  to  detain  the  aga,  and 
taking  one  of  the  men  with  him,  set  out  to  retrace  the 
way  to  where  they  had  left  Kiamil. 

They  carefully  watched  for  any  indications  which 
would  show  that,  unknown  to  them,  he  had  returned, 
but  finding  none,  rode  down,  through  the  hollow,  into 
the  ravine. 

Here  the  loud  whinnying  of  the  gray  mare  attracted 
their  attention  to  her.  This  was  the  first  evidence  they 
had  found  of  the  aga's  presence. 

The  mare  was  fastened  just  as  her  master  had  left  her ; 
and  from  appearances  had  long  been  a  prisoner.  It 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  493 

gave  the  devoted  Assad  a  shock,  fearing  some  accident 
had  happened  to  his  chief,  between  whom  and  himself 
more  than  an  ordinary  attachment  existed. 

"  Surely  evil  hath  befallen  him,  or  he  would  not  delay 
his  coming,"  he  murmured. 

He  owed  much  to  the  aga,  who  from  the  first  had 
taken  a  liking  to  him  and  favoured  him ;  and  it  was 
through  this  favouritism  Assad  had  obtained  his  appoint 
ment  in  the  zaptiehs,  and  finally  his  promotion  to  the 
rank  of  sergeant. 

He  was  the  aga's  bosom  companion,  his  familiar,  the 
promoter,  and  to  a  large  extent  the  sharer,  of  his  pleas 
ures  and  escapades. 

If  his  superior  had  escaped  the  odium  of  being  noto 
riously  reckless  and  dissolute,  it  was  to  be  attributed 
largely  to  Assad's  management,  and  the  secretiveness 
and  deceit  habitual  to  a  people  whose  simplest  acts 
have  an  atmosphere  of  stealth  and  cunning  about 
them. 

It  is  their  nature.  They  can  no  more  help  it  than 
can  the  tiger  or  anaconda.  The  Oriental  loves  mys 
tery  even  where  there  is  no  use  for  it ;  he  loves  it  for 
itself  alone.  He  enters  into  an  intrigue  with  gusto. 
He  battens  on  chicanery.  Therefore  is  it  that  evil  con 
struction  is  placed  by  him  on  the  most  innocent  proce 
dure  of  the  European  and  the  stranger  that  is  within 
his  gates.  He  attributes  to  the  sojourner  of  England 
or  America  the  proclivities,  designs  and  actions  that 
he  himself  would  be  guilty  of  under  like  opportunities. 

After  all,  considering  what  the  world  is,  this  may  not 
be  thought  so  very  extraordinary. 

Too  much  of  all  this  looseness  had  pertained  to  the 
history  of  Kiamil  and  Assad  not  to  have  had  its  effect. 
Each  had  entered  so  far  into  the  life  of  the  other  as  to 
be  generally  requisite  to  what  had  become  the  happi 
ness  of  both. 

It  was  with  no  little  concern  that  Assad,  searching 
for  his  captain  on  every  side,  descended  deeper  and 
deeper  into  the  ravine,  that  now  seemed  to  him  the 
Valley  of  the  Shadow  of  Azrael.  At  length  he  caught  a 
glimpse  of  the  water,  as  it  fell  with  a  melancholy 


494  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

sound,  and  near  it  saw  a  confused  patch  of  dark  blue, 
relieved  against  the  reddish  yellow  of  the  stones. 

This  last,  as  he  drew  nearer,  took  the  shape  of  a  man. 
It  was  the  crushed  form  of  the  aga.  He  saw  this  at  a 
glance,  and  hurried  forward  with  the  worst  forebodings. 

"The  aga  is  dead  !  "  he  exclaimed  to  his  companion. 
"  Did  I  not  say  evil  had  befallen  him  ?  " 

"  It  may  not  be  so  bad,"  was  the  reply.  "  Perhaps  he 
is  asleep  or  resting." 

"  Ah  no  !  He  would  not  look  like  that !  "  cried  Assad 
passionately.  "Nor  would  he  be  resting  at  this  time." 

A  fall  so  desperate  as  that  sustained  by  the  captain 
could  only  be  expected  to  result  in  the  most  serious 
consequences.  As  he  approached  the  ground  in  that 
awful  plunge,  the  shattered  ladder  turned  and  rebounded 
beneath  him,  breaking  his  fall,  and,  in  some  slight 
degree,  saved  his  tossed  and  dishonoured  body  from 
the  worst  effects  of  his  disaster.  It  seemed  to  sympa 
thise  with  him,  and  to  have  mercy  upon  him. 

He  lay  motionless  at  the  foot  of  the  cliff,  stunned 
and  bruised  and  broken.  He  had  been  knocked  sense 
less,  but  he  was  not  dead. 

Presently  his  eyelids  half  unclosed;  and,  becoming 
conscious  of  the  pain  that  was  racking  him,  he  slowly 
drew  up  one  leg,  then  stretched  it  out  to  its  full  length, 
in  agony.  His  other  leg  lay  unmoved,  as  though  be 
numbed.  It  was  fractured  at  the  thigh.  He  made  an 
effort  to  rise  or  sit  up,  but  fell  back,  helpless,  moan 
ing  and  gasping  for  breath. 

He  opened  his  eyes  gradually,  as  if  wearied.  He 
looked  around  him.  At  once  he  remembered  every 
thing.  Again  he  tried  to  spring  to  his  feet,  a  flash  of 
rage  and  hate  flaming  from  his  eyes.  But  he  sank  into 
the  collapsed  heap  from  which  all  his  passion  could  not 
raise  him. 

He  was  furious,  demoniac.  He  cursed,  he  swore,  he 
vowed  vengeance,  and  threatened  murder. 

To  think  that  a  woman  should  have  outwitted  him, 
have  overwhelmed  and  conquered  him  —  nay,  might  end 
in  having  killed  him  —  ah,  that  was  the  bitterness  and 
cruel  humiliation  of  it !  How  he  hated  her,  when  he 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  495 

thought  of  it !  At  the  moment  of  victory,  at  the  very 
summit  of  his  hopes,  to  be  cast  down  and  destroyed ! 
His  ungovernable  passion  raged  within  him  and  tore 
him.  He  foamed  at  the  mouth,  and  gnashed  his  teeth, 
while  he  hurled  his  profanity.  It  was  horrible,  — all  the 
more  so  because  it  was  with  great  difficulty  and  distress 
he  drew  his  breath,  and  he  did  not  know  but  that  each 
breath  might  be  his  last. 

But  there  was  none  besides  himself  to  hear.  Hilwe, 
the  innocent  occasion  of  his  wrath,  was  far  beyond  his 
reach,  every  moment  sending  her  farther  on  her  way, 
escaped  in  flight  from  the  scene  of  her  heroic  conflict. 

Ever,  from  olden  time,  had  it  been  held  in  that  land 
a  peculiar  disgrace  for  a  man  to  be  slain  or  discomfited 
by  a  woman.  In  the  days  of  the  Judges,  it  is  told  of 
Abimelech,  in  his  wild  warfare,  how  he  encamped 
against  Thebez  and  took  it.  And  how,  when  he  came 
to  the  strong  tower  within  the  city,  "  and  fought  against 
it,  and  went  hard  unto  the  door  of  the  tower  to  burn  it 
with  fire  ...  a  certain  woman  cast  a  piece  of  millstone 
upon  Abimelech's  head,  and  all  to  brake  his  skull. 
Then  he  called  hastily  unto  the  young  man  his  armour- 
bearer,  and  said  unto  him,  Draw  thy  sword,  and  slay 
me,  that  men  say  not  of  me,  A  woman  slew  him.  And 
his  young  man  thrust  him  through,  and  he  died." 

This  was  the  feeling  that  stirred  the  soul  of  Kiamil 
Aga.  Never  had  a  man  felt  more  keenly  the  disgrace 
which  had  overtaken  him.  The  ignominy  of  it  had 
entered  into  his  soul. 

He  cast  his  eyes  down  upon  his  battered  frame,  the 
body  he  had  taken  so  much  pride  in,  and  he  groaned 
and  shuddered. 

"  I  am  less  than  a  man.  I  am  no  man.  I  shall  be 
left  here  to  expire,  —  to  die  by  the  hand  of  a  woman. 
There  is  no  help  for  me.  Why  is  not  Assad  here  ? 
Assad  who  professed  such  love  for  me,  and  for  whom  I 
did  so  much — why  doth  he  not  seek  me?  Alas!  I 
told  him  not  to  come;  I  ordered  him  to  await  my 
coming.  And  now,  when  they  find  me  I  shall  be  num 
bered  with  the  dead." 

So  spake  the  aga,  in  his  weak  and  crushed  state. 


496  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Lying  exposed  to  the  sun,  a  burning  thirst  assailed 
him.  It  was  the  more  unbearable  because,  before  his 
eyes,  the  limpid  water,  though  in  greatly  reduced  vol 
ume,  streamed  over  the  rocks,  and  fell  into  the  pleasant 
verdure-encircled  pools,  as  it  passed  on  its  way  to  the 
Ghor,  where  it  emptied  itself  into  the  greater  stream 
through  that  deep-cut  fissure,  a  shallow,  marshy  stretch 
of  land  at  its  mouth  reddened  as  by  a  wine-stain  with 
the  pink  blossoms  of  multitudes  of  oleanders. 

"Oh,  the  waste  of  it!  "  he  cried;  "and  I  cannot  get 
one  drop  to  cool  my  parched  tongue." 

He  heard  the  tinkling  treble  of  the  water  as  it 
spilled  itself  from  ledge  to  ledge,  in  a  thin  wavering 
column,  and  he  could  bear  his  craving  for  it  no 
longer. 

"I  shall  make  another  effort  to  get  to  it,"  he  said. 
"I  might  as  well  die  that  way  as  to  lie  and  slowly 
perish  in  agony." 

He  gathered  his  strength  for  the  exertion,  and 
dragged  himself  a  little  way  on  his  face  and  hands.  It 
was  but  a  little  way.  Exhausted,  he  slipped  and  lost 
his  balance,  and,  with  a  cry  of  excruciating  pain,  he 
found  himself  rolling  down  the  slope,  every  movement 
being  one  of  torture. 

"Surely  this  will  finish  me,"  he  thought.  "It  will 
knock  the  miserable  remnant  of  my  life  out  of  me." 

The  shock,  no  doubt,  was  a  severe  one  to  a  man  in 
his  state;  but  as  he  reached  the  level,  and  lay  very 
still  and  deathlike  for  awhile,  drawing  every  breath 
with  increased  distress,  he  heard  a  soft  rippling  sound 
close  by  him.  He  had  rolled  so  near  the  shrunken 
stream  he  could  dip  his  hand  into  it. 

Feeble  as  he  was,  as  soon  as  he  perceived  the  water, 
he  did  not  delay  to  moisten  his  lips  and  to  drink.  It 
was  like  new  life  to  him ;  yet,  so  weak  was  he,  that,  to 
his  great  shame,  the  effort  overcame  him,  and  he  sank 
back  wearied  and  motionless. 

At  this  moment  it  was  that  Assad  saw  him,  and, 
thinking  he  was  dead,  with  sad  heart  hastened  to  his 
side. 

Great  was  the  relief  of  the  sergeant  to  find  himself 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  497 

mistaken,  and  that  the  breath  of  life  was  still  within 
the  prostrate  man. 

With  the  aid  of  his  companion,  the  sergeant,  having 
done  everything  in  his  power  for  the  injured  aga, 
brought  him,  with  as  kindly  care  as  possible,  to  the 
village,  where  he  was  made  comfortable  in  the  best 
house  — •  though  poor  was  the  best. 

A  surgeon  had  been  immediately  summoned  from 
Jerusalem,  and  nothing  was  left  undone  to  contribute  to 
the  recovery  of  the  most  unfortunate  of  zaptiehs. 

In  addition  to  his  other  injuries,  he  was  pronounced 
injured  internally.  But  he  was  young  and  strong,  and 
soon  was  progressing  favourably. 

Throughout  he  had  maintained  an  absolute  silence 
as  to  the  cause  of  his  accident,  from  which  nothing 
could  move  him.  The  most  pressing  inquiry  had  been 
able  only  to  draw  from  him  the  statement  that,  in 
climbing  the  cliffs  he  had  lost  his  footing  and  fallen. 

He  had  not  ceased,  from  the  day  he  was  deposited 
within  it,  to  the  day  he  left  it,  to  complain  of  the 
poor  accommodations  of  the  village  house.  His  gay, 
sybarite  life  had  but  ill  prepared  him  for  the  enduring 
of  an  abode  barren  of  the  most  ordinary  comforts  of 
civilisation. 

As  soon  as  it  could  safely  be  done,  he  was  removed 
to  one  of  the  hospitals  in  Jerusalem,  where  he  com 
pleted  his  convalescence,  and  where,  in  the  semi- 
religious  atmosphere  of  his  surroundings,  he  had 
presented  him  a  good  opportunity  for  repentance,  had 
he  been  so  disposed.  But  the  aga  was  not  of  that 
kind. 

The  decided  limp  which  for  many  a  day  afterward, 
to  his  sore  mortification,  marked  the  gait  of  the  vain 
captain,  was  but  an  outward  indication  of  his  inward 
and  spiritual  condition. 

It  was  not  easy  for  him  to  turn  from  the  courses 
which  to  him  were  paths  of  pleasantness.  For  all  the 
judgments  that  had  befallen  him,  he  repented  not. 
He  mended  not  his  ways.  Indeed,  he  rather  felt  as  if 
the  Supreme  Power  owed  him  a  balance,  duly  credited 
to  him  in  the  Book  of  Life,  for  his  enforced  abstinence 


498  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

during  his  illness;  and  he  flung  out  into  extra  and 
new  indulgences  with  the  intention  of  making  up  for 
lost  time,  and  exhausting  his  credit  on  the  Great 
Register. 


CHAPTER   XLVII 

HILWE  was  as  one  who  is  lost  to  herself. 
She  was  bewildered  with  the  horror  which  encom 
passed  her. 

She  was  as  the  spoil  which  the  remorseless  pale  war 
rior  gathereth  after  the  battle,  —  then  casteth  from  him  as 
worthless. 

She  had  become  as  a  speck  upon  the  horizon's  verge. 

By  day  and  by  night  she  had  fled,  nor  knew  she  if 
they  were  many  or  few  days  that  had  cast  her  trembling 
shadow  upon  the  parched  ground,  where  there  was  no 
familiar  thing,  or  that  which  is  comforting  or  beautiful 
to  detain  her,  or  bid  her  rest. 

Wandering  —  wandering,  to  be  always  wandering ! 
Oh,  the  dread  of  it !  As  she  looked  about  her  she  saw 
all  the  surrounding  objects  were  moving  with  her  —  the 
whole  world  was  wandering  !  Nothing  was  steadfast. 

Her  life  was  weary  for  the  heaviness  of  the  thought 
and  the  woe  that  oppressed  her ;  and  ever  she  said :  - 

"  I  have  slain  a  man  !  I  have  wounded  to  death  and 
laid  low  a  strong  man  !  He  was  fair  and  glad,  and  full 
of  warmth  and  love.  The  cup  of  joy  was  at  his  lips.  He 
imagined  not  the  evil  that  was  coming  upon  him.  His 
life  was  in  my  hand  to  kill  or  to  spare ;  and  I  overthrew 
him.  I  parted  spirit  and  flesh.  I  drove  out  the  soul 
from  him.  He  has  died  in  his  lust.  He  has  perished  in 
his  sin.  His  life  and  his  love  and  that  which  was  pleasant 
to  him  are  passed  and  gone.  He  will  know  them  no  more 
—  forever.  Ah,  woe  is  me  !  Did  I  not  make  myself  as 
the  vengeance  of  God,  that  is  irresponsible  —  that  cannot 
be  questioned?  I,  who  am  but  a  weak  erring  woman,  I 
who  am  but  a  poor  fragment  —  a  shard  of  a  broken  and 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  499 

rejected  vessel  —  how  should  I  be  as  the  Great  All? 
How  should  I  seize  the  judgment  of  vindication  to  my 
self,  to  exercise  punishment  and  wrath  upon  him  whom 
I  adjudged  guilty?  Have  I  not  sinned  in  this?  " 

And  it  came  to  pass  as  another  day  broke  upon  her, 
and  she  took  no  note  of  it,  for  day  and  night  continued 
as  one  to  her,  a  sunless,  moonless  darkness,  her  feet  be 
gan  to  give  way  beneath  her  and  the  living  burden  she 
bore  —  the  beautiful  famishing  child  she  carried  upon 
her  back,  innocently  smiling  in  the  face  of  death. 

When  she  had  gone  a  long  way,  nor  thought  about  it 
—  whether  it  was  far  or  otherwise  —  so  lost  was  she  — 
when  so  numbed  she  scarcely  felt  the  gnawings  of  hun 
ger,  and  knew  not  whether  hours  or  days  had  passed 
since  her  dread  experience,  she  saw  before  her,  in  a 
stripped  field,  an  inclosure  denuded  of  its  harvest,  what 
seemed  a  deserted  booth  of  withered  boughs. 

It  was  a  lodge  left  in  what  had  been  a  garden  of 
cucumbers  and  melons.  For  many  a  day  had  it  been 
forsaken  of  the  watchers  who  during  the  season  had 
guarded  the  crop.  It  was  desolate  enough ;  but  the 
grief  and  misery  in  her  heart,  looking  through  her  eyes, 
painted  it  in  still  more  sombre  and  dreary  colours. 

"  Yet  is  it  not  a  refuge?  "  she  said,  wearily,  feebly. 

With  the  feeling  that  she  was  dying,  the  maternal  in 
stinct  to  save  her  child,  if  possible,  rose  strong  in  her, 
paramount  to  everything  else  ;  and  she  put  forth  the  last 
efforts  of  her  failing  strength  to  reach  what  seemed  a 
shelter  —  poor  as  it  might  be. 

It  was  too  late.  She  had  scarce  crossed  half  the 
length  of  the  field,  when  she  fell,  exhausted. 

All  her  anxiety  hitherto  had  centred  on  her  child  to 
save  him ;  but  now  that  was  departing  from  her.  She 
was  too  weak  to  make  more  than  two  or  three  ineffectual 
efforts  to  regain  her  feet.  With  all  her  attempts  she  had 
been  able  to  stagger  forward  only  a  few  steps.  Each 
time  she  had  again  fallen. 

A  nameless  consciousness  of  desolation,  sadness, 
abandonment,  misery  —  that  was  what  she  was  becom 
ing.  She  was  ceasing  from  herself,  and  merging  into  a 
state  devoid  of  all  that  makes  life  desirable. 


500  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Was  it  death?  Was  that  rustling  the  footsteps  of 
Azrael? 

She  no  longer  noticed,  as  such,  the  objects  that  had 
at  first  almost  appalled  her  —  the  dreary  aspect  of  her 
surroundings.  The  wilted,  dead  and  dried  vines  that 
trailed  over  the  ground  of  that  despoiled  garden,  the 
shrivelled  remains  of  broken  gourds  and  stalks  of  melons 
and  other  seared  and  withered  plants  whose  fruits  had 
been  gathered  in,  left  upon  her  only  a  vague  sense  of 
dejection  and  loss  of  that  which  was  gone,  and  could 
never  be  recalled. 

"Am  I  not  like  unto  them?"  she  felt  rather  than 
said. 

When,  aweary  of  it,  she  closed  her  eyes,  she  could  not 
shut  out  the  pain  of  it,  for  it  was  within  her. 

Near  where  she  lay,  a  black  beetle,  the  sacred  scara- 
baeus  of  the  Egyptians,  the  species  which  they  wor 
shipped,  and  inscribed  images  of  which  they  wore  upon 
their  persons  and  placed  with  their  dead,  was  rolling, 
with  all  its  energy,  the  pellet  coated  with  clay  contain 
ing  its  eggs.  Emblem  of  the  god  Chepera,  or  "  Be- 
comer  "  —  one  who  not  only  is  the  source  of  all  life  and 
fertility,  and  has  created  all  things,  but  who  has  pro 
duced  himself,  and  given  birth  to  all  the  gods  —  great 
was  its  honour  and  worship.  It  toiled  with  head  down, 
and,  pushing  with  its  hind  legs  the  precious  sphere  - —  a 
miniature  world  —  the  sun  —  rolled  it  backwards  to 
wards  the  hole  it  had  dug  for  its  reception.  It  was  its 
last  act  before  it  should  die.  The  mystic  creature,  apo 
calyptic  symbol,  how  much  it  meant  to  that  augustly 
religious  venerable  people,  who,  in  the  days  that  have 
grown  hoary,  dwelt  by  the  Nile,  and  built  their  stupen 
dous  temples  of  worship  to  everything,  apotheosising 
from  the  whole  range  of  creation.  As  the  sagacious  in 
sect  rolled  that  perfect  globe,  utterly  unconscious  of  the 
divine  honours  which  had  been  paid  it,  and  of  the  em 
blematic  interpretation  of  its  simple  life,  and  only  intent 
on  the  perpetuation  of  its  kind,  did  it  not  suggest  the 
thought  of  the  parallel  or  similitude  between  it  and  this 
poor  mother  in  her  extremity? 

Having  fallen  the   last  time,  Hilwe   dragged    herself 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  501 

upon  the  ground,  for  a  few  feet  farther,  towards  the 
dilapidated  lodge,  and  could  no  more. 

The  child  began  to  cry.  It  was  an  unwonted  sound 
in  that  place. 

Hilwe  tried  to  soothe  Talmai.  But  her  throat  was 
parched,  she  could  not  form  the  words  of  comfort,  and 
the  hoarse  unnatural  voice  only  made  the  boy  cry 
louder. 

"Be  still.  Am  I  not  with  thee?"  she  struggled  to 
say. 

There  was  a  distinct  rustling  of  the  withered  leaves  of 
the  booth  —  of  more  decided,  crisper  accent  than  that 
caused  by  the  shifting  of  the  breeze  —  and  an  apparition, 
in  the  form  of  a  man  of,  indeed,  uncommon  aspect, 
stood  before  her. 

Even  in  a  land  whose  peasantry  are  so  exempt  from 
elaborateness  of  dress  as  in  Palestine,  and  where  it 
might  be  thought  they  have  reduced  raiment  to  the  sim 
plest  quantity,  the  figure  presented  to  her  could  hardly 
have  escaped  remark  and  surprise.  On  opening  lan 
guidly  her  eyes,  which  for  a  moment  she  had  closed,  the 
apparition  was  almost  beside  her,  seeming  to  have  ma 
terialised  from  the  surrounding  air.  She  saw  not  the 
man's  approach.  And  well  might  she  imagine,  as  she 
did,  that  she  had  passed  into  the  abode  of  spirits,  and 
that  this  was  one  of  its  inhabitants. 

It  was  not  alone  the  vesture  of  the  man  that  made  him 
so  peculiar,  but  his  manner  and  general  appearance. 

He  might  be  taken  to  be  from  between  thirty-five  to 
forty  years  qf  age,  but  doubtless  looked  older  than  he 
really  was.  Of  middle  height,  slender  build,  and  spare 
habit,  his  whole  bearing  had  a  singular  self-possession 
and  gentle  dignity  about  it  which  were  at  once  apparent. 
His  thin  face  was  ashy-pale,  and  his  sympathetic  blue 
eyes  had  a  leaden  hue ;  his  light-brown  hair  hung  long, 
reaching  towards  his  shoulders,  being  as  untrimmed  as 
his  pointed  beard,  which  was  of  a  like  colour.  The 
entire  effect  was  suggestive,  as  doubtless  it  was  intended 
to  be,  of  the  traditional  appearance  of  the  Nazarene.  He 
had  no  shoes  upon  his  feet,  no  covering  on  his  head. 
The  single  garment  he  wore,  if  garment  it  could  be 


502  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

called,  seemed  rather  a  scanty  drapery  of  white  cotton 
than  a  piece  of  made-up  apparel. 

Strangest  of  all,  this  man  was  not  an  Oriental.  He 
was  an  American. 

It  may  well  be  considered  remarkable  that  a  people  so 
eminently  rational,  and  abounding  in  common-sense,  — 
plain,  practical,  utilitarian,  —  so  restive  under  anything 
approaching  sentimentality,  the  useless,  or  effete,  and 
so  critical  of  all  others  indulging  in  the  inconsistent, 
eccentric,  or  unreasonable,  should  give  birth  to  so  many 
of  that  multiform  genus  of  unstable  mind  known  as 
"  crank."  And  the  American  "  crank,"  especially  when 
of  the  religious  species,  is  generally  of  the  most  exag 
gerated  type. 

Yet  it  would  be  quite  erroneous  to  suppose  that  this 
peculiar  field  of  religious  enterprise  in  Palestine  is  occu 
pied  only  by  subjects  from  America.  The  English 
come  in  a  fair  second,  and  the  German  and  other 
nationalities  follow  in  goodly  numbers.  The  attraction 
is  great,  and  effectively  draws  them. 

But  who  is  this  American?  And  how  comes  he  to  be 
here,  and  in  this  shape? 

George  Pelerin  Crosslett,  this  mild-eyed  recluse,  was 
a  New-Englander,  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  old  colo 
nial  families.  He  was  thus  not  only  an  American  of 
several  generations,  but  a  genuine  Yankee. 

The  Crossletts  had  originally  come  from  England, 
where  they  had  belonged  to  that  greatly-to-be-respected 
order,  the  landed  gentry.  They  had  their  pedigree, 
which  traditionally  traced  them  back  to  an  ancestor  who 
had  accompanied  King  Richard  I.  to  Palestine,  in  the 
Crusades.  Their  coat  of  arms  was  assigned  to  this 
origin.  The  shield  might  be  described  as  argent,  three 
cross-crosslets,  gules,  —  having  a  silver  field,  charged 
with  three  red  cross-crosslets,  —  a  cross-crosslet  being,  as 
those  versed  in  heraldry  know,  a  cross  having  the  three 
upper  ends  terminating  in  three  little  crosses.  The 
arms  therefore  had  a  reference  to  the  name,  as  well  as 
some  slight  resemblance  to  those  of  Jerusalem.  The 
crest,  two  palm-branches  encircling  an  escallop-shell,  the 
pilgrim's  badge,  further  pointed  to  crusader  days,  of 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  503 

which  the  motto  "  Per  crucem  ad  coronam  "  was  held 
to  be  additional  confirmation.  His  second  baptismal 
name,  Pelerin,  was  that  of  his  mother's  family,  which 
also  claimed  crusader  descent,  on  more  than  one 
ground.  Pblerin  is  certainly  the  French  for  pilgrim; 
and  one  must  not  be  too  inquisitive  in  such  matters, 
but  must  accept  with  a  good  grace  all  the  rest  of  the 
evidence,  even  though  it  were  trivial,  and  fabulously 
traditional. 

In  his  happier  days  George  Pelerin  Crosslett  was  a 
pleasant  lighthearted  young  fellow  with  the  usual 
amount  of  animal  spirits  that  fall  to  the  share  of 
budding  manhood. 

Years  passed  by,  bringing  him  varied  experiences, 
perhaps  not  always  holy.  Then  came  an  unfortunate 
love-affair.  It  left  him  an  altered  man.  He  became 
moody,  dreamy  and  brooding. 

He  could  not  shake  off  his  despondency.  To  him, 
the  loss  of  the  woman  he  loved  was  an  irrepar 
able  fatality.  Finally  his  grief  assumed  a  religious 
shape. 

His  family  and  friends  had  many  an  ill-advised  joke 
to  gibe  him  with,  by  way  of  cheer,  —  to  rally  him ;  and 
many  an  old  musty  proverb-store  was  ransacked  and 
levied  on  for  his  benefit.  "  There  are  more  fish  in  the 
sea  than  ever  were  caught,"  and  such  like,  were  made  to 
do  duty  repeatedly,  with  maddening  effect.  He  bore 
it  like  a  martyr  and  a  man. 

But  the  expected  rallying  failed  to  appear.  He 
gradually  became  more  pronounced  in  his  beliefs,  and 
seemed  to  settle  into  a  melancholic  state,  which  began, 
at  length,  to  alarm  his  friends.  They  feared  insanity 
and  suicide.  The  warm  natural  forces  in  him,  which 
should  have  gone  forth  in  affection  and  love,  found  no 
fruitage,  nor  even  blossoming,  but  were  checked,  stunted 
and  blighted. 

He  began  to  see  visions,  and  hear  voices.  Strange 
and  heretical  religious  views  troubled  him.  Temptations 
in  various  seductive  guises  assailed  him. 

As  to  these  last,  he  considered  them  evidences  of 
saintship,  and  of  Satan's  desire  to  have  him. 


504  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Remember  St.  Anthony  and  St.  Augustine,"  he 
would  say,  "  and  how  they  were  tempted." 

He  had  been  brought  up  in  the  doctrines  and  com 
munion  of  the  American  Episcopal  Church  —  the  fair  and 
devoted  daughter  of  the  grand  old  Anglican  faith  —  and 
this  should  have  had  its  usual  restraining  and  salutary 
power  to  aid  and  deliver.  But  he  had  allowed  himself, 
almost  imperceptibly,  to  lapse  away  in  belief  and  prac 
tice,  till  he  scarcely  knew  where  he  stood,  driven  about 
by  every  wind  of  doctrine.  He  was  like  a  shipwrecked 
man. 

Strangely  superstitious  notions,  which  fed  on  the  most 
trifling  and  inconsistent  details,  took  possession  of  him. 

He  dwelt  on  the  significance  of  his  name,  the  symbols 
of  the  coat  of  arms,  and  the  traditions  of  the  family 
relating  to  the  Holy  Land  and  the  Crusades. 

"  Am  I  not  a  crosslet  —  a  little  cross?  "  he  would  say, 
stretching  out  his  arms.  "  Let  me  crucify  upon  it  the 
sinful  affections." 

He  had  manifestations,  —  esoteric  signs  and  wonders 
of  deeper  significance;  and  the  voices,  interior,  soft  and 
low,  fitted  for  his  ear  alone,  finally  took  on  a  definite  and 
positive  purpose  and  aim. 

"  Go  up  to  Palestine  and  to  the  Holy  City,"  they 
said.  "  There  is  work  for  thee  to  do  there ;  and  thou 
shalt  be  at  hand  for  the  consummation  of  all  things." 

Here  was  something  tangible,  on  which  he  could 
settle  his  disturbed  and  restless  mind. 

"  Why  should  I  not  be  a  Crusader,  as  was  more  than 
one  of  my  ancestors?  Is  not  the  secret  mark  upon  me? 
Am  I  not  called  to  the  work  —  to  be  a  soldier  of  the 
Cross?  " 

There  was  a  candid  childlike  simplicity  of  faith  in  the 
way  he  talked  of  these  things.  Alone  in  the  forest  and 
fields,  communing,  in  preparation  for  the  work,  he 
seemed  to  have  acquired  the  language  of  the  solitary 
places,  the  murmuring  of  Nature's  voices  in  haunts  apart 
from  man.  There  was  a  sweet  yet  mournful  solemnity 
in  his  tones  as  he  spoke : 

"  Everywhere  I  looked  I  saw  it,"  he  said.  "Not  only 
in  myself,  or  on  church  spires,  or  surmounting  the  gables 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  505 

of  religious  houses,  —  but  in  the  forest,  where,  on  all 
sides,  the  branches  crossed  in  every  form  of  perspective,  I 
saw  the  holy  sign,  the  symbol  of  salvation.  In  the 
vaulted  firmament  I  beheld  the  stars  make  it,  as  they  had 
done  for  ages.  Even  in  the  meadows,  with  their  sunshine 
and  their  blossoms,  when  the  winds  of  heaven  blew  over 
them,  like  the  blessed  visitation  of  the  Divine  Spirit, 
did  I  not  see  the  grasses  bow  their  heads,  and  cross  their 
slender  fingers  in  the  precious  sign  - —  the  beloved,  awful, 
sublime  recognition  of  the  Crucified?  Why  should  I 
not  consecrate  myself  with  it?  Let  me  make  it  upon 
my  breast,  and  wear  it  in  my  heart  while  I  live ;  and 
when  I  die  let  my  arms  be  folded  in  that  form  over  my 
bosom,  and  my  feet  be  crossed  like  a  true  crusader 
knight." 

Thus  he  spoke,  and  thus  he  felt ;  and  in  this  spirit  he 
went  up  to  Palestine  and  Jerusalem. 

There  he  entered  zealously  into  his  work ;  he  taught 
and  preached,  and  lived  an  ascetic  life,  having  stripped 
himself,  literally,  of  everything  but  bare  necessaries. 

If  he  was  disappointed  in  some  of  the  things  he  saw 
there,  or  did  not  see  there,  he  beheld  sufficient  to  feed 
and  satisfy  a  mind  as  ecstatic  and  visionary  as  was  his. 
A  little  thing  went  a  great  way  with  him.  His  faith  was 
large ;  and  according  to  his  faith  it  was  unto  him. 

He  dwelt  with  most  satisfaction  on  the  unchanged 
topographical  features  of  the  land,  the  natural  phe 
nomena,  and  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people 
of  the  country. 

"  These  surely  are  the  same  as  when  the  Christ  walked 
here,"  he  said.  He  was  certain  a  light  like  that  of  the 
Shekinah  still  lingered  around  the  Temple  site. 

"Is  not  this  the  land  of  inspiration?"  he  exclaimed. 
"  Does  not  the  voice  of  the  prophets  and  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel  still  pulsate  in  the  air?  Where  once  he  showed 
his  visible  presence,  will  he  not  hear  the  cry  of  suppli 
cation,  and  answer?  —  will  he  not  help  and  deliver  as  in 
no  other  place?" 

To  Crosslett  it  was  natural  that  the  Jew  and  the 
Moslem  should  believe  that  one  prayer  said  within  the 
ancient  walls  was  worth  a  thousand  said  elsewhere. 


506  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

He  went  with  the  Jews  to  that  majestic  fragment  of 
the  Temple  Enclosure,  whose  cyclopean  blocks  of  stone 
need  no  architect's  authentication,  —  the  "  wailing  place  " 
of  the  outcast  people,  as  near  as  they  can  venture  to 
the  forbidden  ground  of  the  sanctum  sanctorum,  where 
they  raise  their  prayers  and  lamentations  for  their  lost 
glory ;  and  he  wept  and  prayed  with  them :  "  How  long, 
O  Lord?  how  long  shall  thy  holy  place  be  trampled 
down  of  the  Gentiles?  " 

As  he  beheld  the  sheep  led  to  the  slaughter  —  led  as 
he  had  never  seen  it  in  any  other  country,  the  pathetic 
significance  of  the  scene  touched  him  to  the  quick,  as 
he  recalled  the  words  of  prophesy  and  their  exalted 
application:  "  He  was  led  as  a  sheep  to  the  slaughter; 
and  like  a  lamb  dumb  before  his  shearer,  so  opened  he 
not  his  mouth."  He  could  never  see  the  sight  without 
being  penetrated  afresh  with  its  heartbreaking  poignancy. 

Nor  could  he  pass  the  wheat-market  in  Jerusalem 
without  pausing  in  the  open  archways  at  the  entrance, 
and  watching  the  merchants  give  "  good  measure,"  they 
thus  fulfilling,  unwittingly,  the  words  of  the  Master 
whom  he  served :  "  Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto 
you  ;  good  measure,  pressed  down,  and  shaken  together, 
and  running  over,  shall  men  give  into  your  bosom." 

With  renewed  wonder  he  saw  this  each  time  literally 
done.  The  peck-like  measure  is  filled  with  wheat,  which 
is  pressed  down,  and  shaken  in  three  different  directions, 
continual  additions  causing  it  to  rise  high  above  the  rim 
in  a  cone-like  form.  Pressed  at  the  apex  with  the 
knuckles,  more  grain  is  added,  till  it  begins  to  run  over; 
when,  if  the  purchaser  is  unprovided  with  a  sack,  the 
measure  is  deftly  lifted,  and  the  contents  are  poured  into 
the  bosom  of  his  outer  garment.  This,  being  confined 
by  the  girdle  at  his  waist,  is  capable  of  holding  a  large 
amount  of  such  provender;  indeed,  it  is  the  favourite 
receptacle  in  the  East  for  carrying  any  object  which 
may  conveniently  fit  there,  or  for  concealing  anything 
which  the  wearer  may  not  wish  to  be  seen,  such  as  stolen 
property,  as  too  often  happens.  To  this  day,  there  are 
in  Jerusalem  two  kinds  of  measure  —  the  common  or 
ordinary,  and  the  "  good  measure  "advocated  by  Jesus. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  507 

But,  above  most  things,  Crosslett  was  impressed  by 
the  peculiar  recurrent  glows  which  succeed  the  sunsets 
in  the  Holy  City.  To  this  wonderful  radiance,  to  which 
we  have  repeatedly  referred,  it  is  difficult  to  do  justice 
in  a  mere  description. 

When  he  saw  the  glorious  sight  repeated,  evening 
after  evening,  dying  out  and  reviving,  often  till  seven 
times,  it  gave  him  pause,  and  made  him  consider.  The 
glow  was  more  than  bright.  A  red-gold  ring  of  light, 
as  intense  in  the  east  as  in  the  west,  in  the  north  as  in 
the  south,  encircled  the  entire  heavens.  The  hoary 
head  of  the  ancient  Holy  City  surrounded  with  this 
annular  glory,  like  that  of  a  saint  or  martyr,  was  a 
spectacle  of  unspeakable  grandeur.  It  seemed  Nature's 
and  God's  canonisation  of  Jerusalem. 

"  Perhaps  it  is  the  sign  of  the  Son  of  Man,"  mur 
mured  Crosslett  —  "the  light  of  the  Shekinah  with 
drawn  to  the  heavens  from  the  desecrated  temple." 

Among  the  few  in  Jerusalem  with  whom  Crosslett 
became  early  acquainted  was  a  Franciscan  monk  of  the 
name  of  Scherer.  He  had  barely  reached  his  prime, 
and,  as  his  name  implied,  he  was  German.  In  his  re 
ligious  life,  he  had  retained,  unsoured  and  unspoiled, 
the  pleasant  genial  disposition  with  which  he  had  been 
born.  Under  the  coarse  brown  habit  and  rope  girdle 
of  his  order  beat  the  warm  generous  heart  of  a  true 
man,  always  ready  to  respond  with  unaffected  sympathy 
and  loving  aid  to  the  appeal  of  grief  or  misery,  bringing 
comfort  to  the  wretched  ;  while  he  could  rejoice  with 
the  rejoicing  none  the  less  naturally  because  he  could 
weep  with  those  who  weep. 

Seldom,  even  in  the  coldest  weather,  did  he  avail 
himself  of  the  guarded  sufferance  of  his  order  to  draw 
the  cowl  of  his  garb  over  those  sunny  locks  of  his,  that 
shone  like  pure  gold;  and  the  smiles  and  kindly  words 
that  made  beautiful  his  lips  were  ever  reflected  in  the 
mild  blue  eyes  of  this  worthy  son  of  St.  Francis.  He 
had  been  blessed  with  a  noble  physique.  The  solid 
muscular  limbs  covered  by  the  heavy  woollen  cassock 
suggested  by  their  action  that  they  might  have  had  a 
military  training,  —  that,  one  day,  their  owner  might 


508  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

have  led  a  charge  of  cavalry,  or  marched  at  the  head  of 
a  column  to  victory. 

It  was  with  a  sense  of  amusement  as  well  as  surprise 
that  the  Franciscan  first  beheld  Crosslett,  wondering  to 
what  new,  unknown  order  this  strange  figure  belonged. 
He  took  the  earliest  opportunity  of  interrogating  the 
late  comer;  and  soon  discovered  "where  the  land 
lay." 

In  the  beginning  there  may  have  been  something  of 
jealousy  on  the  part  of  the  Franciscan,  who,  perhaps, 
felt  that  Crosslett  was  encroaching  on  his  pastures  and 
methods.  But  this  did  not  last. 

If  anything,  Crosslett  outdid  the  monk  in  his  ascetic 
life,  his  simple  raiment  outrivalling  simplicity,  he  never 
wearing  a  covering  of  any  sort  to  his  head,  having  no 
dwelling-house  or  regular  meals,  and  his  feet  being 
always  unshod. 

This  last  comparatively  insignificant  point,  assumed 
an  importance  out  of  all  proportion  to  its  value.  The 
monk  wore  sandals  of  the  simplest  sort  —  each  a  mere 
sole  of  leather  strapped  to  the  foot.  These,  he  anx 
iously  explained,  were  a  concession  permitted  only 
under  certain  circumstances ;  and,  it  must  be  admitted, 
they  were  a  necessary  but  inadequate  protection  from 
the  rude  pavements  and  filth  of  the  Jerusalem  streets. 

It  was  impossible  for  two  such  men  to  come  in  con 
tact  without  falling  into  argument  and  controversy.  Yet 
though  words  might  run  high  and  hot  between  them, 
they  were  both  too  kind  and  good  at  heart  not  to 
acknowledge  each  other's  nobleness  as  well  as  frailty, 
and,  no  matter  how  fierce  might  rage  their  discussions, 
they  never  parted  without  a  smile  and  a  good  wish, 
though  each  remained  unmoved  in  his  belief. 

Scherer  flattered  himself  that  he  had  impressed  Cross 
lett  with  the  beauties  of  the  Roman  Catholic  faith ; 
while  the  latter  confidently  believed  that,  at  heart, 
Scherer  was  a  convinced  and  converted  man,  who  could 
not  break  away  from  his  conventual  vows. 

The  monk,  aggressive  and  sophistic,  often  pushed 
Crosslett  rather  hard,  taking  him  unawares.  But,  in 
general,  the  American  was  fully  competent  to  hold  his 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  509 

ground,  and  give  as  good  as,  or  even  better  than  he 
received. 

Once,  in  one  of  the  warmest  of  those  polemic  en 
counters,  Brother  Scherer  had  given  Crosslett  a  thrust 
of  the  old  rusty  sword,  long  past  effective  service,  tell 
ing  him  his  church  went  no  further  back  than  Henry 
VIII. 

The  latter,  while  denying  this,  quietly  reminded  the 
Franciscan  that  even  admitting,  for  argument's  sake,  that 
he  were  correct  in  his  statement,  evil  or  error  was  not 
made  respectable  because  of  its  antiquity ;  nor  was 
truth  the  less  adorable  though  it  were  revealed  but 
yesterday. 

"  We  have  simply  returned  to  the  Holy  Catholic  and 
Apostolic  Anglican  Church,"  he  said.  "  We  have  re 
formed,  rejecting  the  errors  and  evil  ways  which  had 
crept  in,  and  refusing  to  receive  the  modern  dogmas 
that  have  been  erected,  believing  them  to  be  untaught 
by  Holy  Scripture.  That  you  have  many  beautiful 
things  of  which  we  deny  ourselves,  as  unnecessary  and 
dangerous  luxuries,  may  be  true.  The  burnt  child 
dreads  the  fire ;  and  there  are  some  of  us  who  will  not 
draw  near  and  warm  ourselves  at  your  devotional 
hearth,  nor  enjoy  the  pleasant  glow,  nor  admire  the 
beauty  of  the  flame,  considering  them  indulgences  of 
dangerous,  or  at  least  of  lax,  tendency." 

Of  course,  Scherer  hooted  at  all  this,  and  called  it 
heresy  —  the  rankest  schism.  He  even  threw  in  Cross- 
lett's  face  the  undeniable  fact  that  he  was  not  satisfied 
with  his  own  church. 

The  feeling  ran  unusually  high  on  this  occasion ;  yet, 
when  they  parted,  the  warm-hearted  German  could 
cherish  no  bitterness. 

"  Good-bye,  St.  George,"  he  said.  "  God  bless  you, 
my  brother;  and  bring  you  safe  into  the  fold  of  holy 
mother  Church,  lest,  self-deceived,  you  perish  in  outer 
darkness." 

While  Crosslett  answered : 

"  God  grant  that  you  may  have  the  light,  the  hope 
and  the  faith  that  I  have  this  day.  The  Heavenly 
Father  bring  you  into  the  Kingdom." 


510  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Scherer  looked  upon  Crosslett  with  eyes  of  pity  and 
of  love. 

"  How  could  I  be  angry  with  such  as  he  is,  who  so 
confidently  believes  in  what  he  speaks,"  he  said,  "  who 
lives  so  stainless  and  so  self-denying  a  life?  What  a 
pity  he  is  not  a  good  Catholic  !  " 

Their  intimacy  grew  apace ;  and  who  knows  how 
much,  in  the  end,  the  belief  of  each  tempered  that  of 
the  other? 

Scherer,  at  least  on  one  occasion,  even  admitted 
Crosslett  to  his  cell,  or  room,  in  the  monastery.  It  was 
bare  and  poverty-stricken,  in  truth ;  yet  to  Crosslett  it 
was  luxuriously  appointed.  For,  dissatisfied  with  him 
self,  he  had,  of  late,  passed  into  more  rigid  and  exacting 
ordeals,  and  crucifixion  of  the  flesh. 

Brother  Scherer  had  joined  in  calling  him  St.  George, 
nor  was  it  quite  in  the  mocking  spirit  in  which  it  was 
first  done  by  those  in  Jerusalem  who,  finding  out  his 
Christian  name,  thought  it  a  good  joke  to  give  it  the 
prefix  of  "Saint." 

Crosslett  could  not  long  hide  from  himself  the  fact 
that  he  had  failed  to  accomplish  in  Jerusalem  that 
which  he  had  hoped  and  expected.  It  is  "  a  mixed 
multitude,"  with  the  usual  consequences.  He  was  dis 
appointed  and  disgusted  with  the  spirit  of  the  people, 
their  miserable  quarrels,  their  utter  want  of  forbearance 
toward  one  another,  and  the  jealousies,  the  backbit 
ing  and  vindictive  slanders  which  scrupled  not  to  attack 
the  noblest  and  the  most  innocent. 

He  himself  was  not  exempt  from  the  tongue-lashing. 
But  he  did  not  wonder,  for  he  had  heard  the  patriarchs 
and  bishops,  priests  and  archimandrites  made  the  sub 
jects  of  the  most  abominable  stories,  intrigues  and 
scandals. 

He  longed  for   seclusion. 

At  last  he  said  to  Scherer : 

"  In  my  experience  of  the  Jerusalem  of  to-day,  I  am  not 
surprised  that  our  Lord  found  a  great  relief  in  escaping 
to  quiet  Bethany  from  the  slander-loving  city  with  its 
cabals  of  Pharisee  and  Sadducee,  the  proud  pretensions 
to  zeal  and  sanctity,  and  the  notorious  emptiness  of  real 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  511 

good,  in  the  priests  and  people,  —  '  the  generation  of 
vipers,'  as  John  the  Baptist  called  them." 

The  stalwart  Franciscan,  while  sympathising  with  him, 
shook  his  head  and  smiled. 

"  Don't  mind  them,"  he  said.  Then  he  sarcastically 
added,  "  Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem." 

The  following  day  Scherer  was  told,  "  St.  George  is 
gone." 

It  was  true.     He  had  left  Jerusalem. 

After  many  wanderings  in  remote  and  desolate  places 
and  among  the  fellaheen  and  Bedawin,  he  took  up  his 
abiding  place  in  the  deserted  lodge  of  a  garden  of  cucum 
bers.  Crosslett  had  at  one  time  been  a  student  of  medi 
cine  ;  and,  practising  among  those  simple  people  the 
healing  art,  he  was  always  received  by  them  gladly 
as  the  "  hakim." 

Thus  it  was  that  he  was  in  that  lonely  spot  to  which 
Hilwe,  beaten  out,  had  dragged  herself  with  the  last 
efforts  of  her  expiring  strength  on  her  escape  from  Ain 
Farah. 

It  was  St.  George  who  raised  her  fainting  head. 

"  My  child  is  perishing  of  want,"  she  said. 

The  mother-love  supreme  in  her,  she  thought  not  of 
herself  but  of  her  child. 

"My  daughter,  be  of  good  cheer;  help  is  at  hand," 
came  the  answer. 

"  Save  my  child,"  she  hoarsely  ejaculated,  and  could 
say  no  more. 

It  was  enough.  Almost  worthy  of  the  saintly  name 
bestowed  in  mockery  upon  him,  Crosslett,  with  the  tact 
and  kindly  helpfulness  so  characteristic  of  the  true 
American,  had  hastened  to  their  assistance,  doing  every 
thing  in  his  power  to  relieve  and  restore  them. 

He  not  only  brought  water  to  assuage  their  thirst,  but 
such  food  as  his  scanty  store  provided,  regardless  of  his 
own  wants,  was  freely  bestowed  upon  them.  He  waited 
on  them  as  if  he  had  been  their  servant,  and  could  not 
do  enough  for  them. 

He  would  have  had  them  remain  longer,  so  as  to  be 
come  more  thoroughly  rested  and  restored ;  but,  after  a 
brief  repose,  Hilwe  was  eager  to  be  gone. 


512  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

With  the  healthy  robust  nature  of  the  peasant,  she 
and  her  child  had  that  strong  recuperative  force  which 
is  too  often  weakened  or  lost  in  civilised  life ;  and,  on 
receiving  the  needed  sustenance,  they  had  quickly  re 
vived,  and  in  Hilwe's  opinion  had  soon  recovered  suffi 
ciently  to  resume  their  journey. 

As  to  the  mental  trouble  which  distressed  Hilwe, 
Crosslett  was  not  as  successful  in  ministering  to  that. 
He  was  too  finely  strung  not  to  perceive  that  a  burden 
which  was  weighing  her  down  rested  upon  her  soul.  At 
first  he  could  only  surmise  what  the  peculiar  character 
of  this  might  be,  and  had  to  content  himself  with  giving 
her  such  general  counsel  and  consolation  as  he  consid 
ered  adapted  to  her  case.  Yet  when  leaving,  in  her 
gratitude  she  gave  way,  and,  confiding  in  him,  while 
thanking  him,  confessed  to  a  certain  extent  her  pecu 
liar  trials,  and  the  danger  threatening  her  should  she 
fall  into  the  hands  of  her  own  people. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII 

THOUGH  Crosslett  had  tried  to  convey  to  Hilwe 
on  her  departure  certain  directions  as  to  the 
route  she  should  take,  his  advice  had  but  an  imperfect 
effect  upon  her.  It  was  like  the  blurred  impression  of 
a  mould  or  matrix,  spoiled  in  the  making.  The  one 
dominant  feeling  possessing  her  was  that  she  must  has 
ten  on  her  way  to  escape  from  some  impending  woe, 
without  loss  of  time.  The  direction  she  might  take 
continued,  for  the  present,  comparatively  a  secondary 
matter.  Nor  did  the  places  she  passed  through  greatly 
impress  her.  In  her  wearied  state  she  felt  irritated  and 
vexed  at  the  hindrance,  the  annoyance,  or  discomfort  of 
the  various  impediments  which  she  encountered.  But 
that  they  detained  her  and  held  her  back  was  her  chief 
sense  of  pain  and  grievance. 

Yet,  after  a  while,  she  made  an  effort  to  recall  Cross- 
lett's  advice. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  513 

She  had  come  to  a  shallow  wady,  the  bottom  of  which 
was  scored  by  a  deep-cut  watercourse,  which  was  now 
dried  up  in  the  long-continued  drought.  This  parched 
river-bed  was  crossed  by  a  parapetless  bridge  of  a  single 
span,  light  and  airy,  of  such  marvellous  structure  that  at 
first  sight  it  declared  its  builders  to  be  Roman  and  none 
other.  There  seemed  not  an  extra  stone  in  the  entire 
work.  Its  simplicity  equalled  its  strength.  Matched 
and  cemented  together  with  a  cohesion  which  had  re 
sisted  the  concerted  storm-sieges  of  nearly  two  thousand 
years,  not  one  of  the  broad  slabs  of  its  roadway  was 
displaced. 

The  entire  bottom  of  the  valley  and  the  slopes  on  each 
side  were  heaped,  many  feet  deep,  with  rounded  boul 
ders,  the  greater  number  of  which  were  larger  than  a 
man's  head.  These  had  been  swept  down  from  the  ad 
joining  country,  for  many  miles.  Not  a  particle  of  soil 
remained.  It  had,  ages  ago,  been  washed  away. 

Such  a  disrupted  pass  was  trying  to  the  footsore  mother 
with  her  living  burden.  The  bridge,  which  she  crossed 
almost  trippingly,  stood,  in  its  unhurt  perfection,  an 
accentuated  contrast,  in  the  midst  of  the  accumulated 
and  almost  impassable  debris.  But  she  struggled  through 
the  difficulties  and  climbed  up  the  opposite  slope,  though 
by  this  time  the  fatigue  she  had  endured  began  again  to 
tell  upon  her. 

She  pondered  as  she  halted  beside  a  fragment  of 
ancient  pavement  to  rest  awhile. 

Were  not  these  the  Roman  bridge  and  Roman  road 
that  the  hakim  had  mentioned? 

She  thought  so,  and  blamed  herself  for  not  having 
paid  more  attention,  and  puzzled  her  brain  to  recall 
exactly  what  he  had  told  her  in  regard  to  them.  Her 
continual  wandering  had  confused  and  bewildered  her. 
Was  she  to  follow  the  course  of  the  highway?  or  was 
she  to  take  an  abrupt  departure  from  it?  She  could 
not  remember,  but  thought  it  more  likely  he  had  ad 
vised  her  to  strike  out  across  the  country,  leaving  the 
road,  in  which  she  would  be  sure  to  meet  travellers 
and  in  all  probability  enemies. 

Half-way  up  the  slope  she  had  passed  a  fallen  mono- 

33 


514  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

lith,  on  which  were  carvings  and  a  Latin  inscription.  It 
was  the  pillar,  —  a  great  columnar  milestone,  —  with  the 
record  in  honour  of  the  Roman  emperor  under  whom  the 
road  had  been  built.  Such  of  the  column  as  was  not  con 
cealed  by  the  rubbish  in  which  it  lay  partly  buried,  kept 
telling  its  story,  in  the  contracted  Latin  way,  to  a  people 
to  whom  it  was  an  unknown  tongue. 

Soon  she  came  to  a  more  extensive  stretch  of  pave 
ment,  in  a  remarkable  state  of  preservation.  Though 
century  after  century  of  mountain  torrent  and  storm  had 
undermined,  scooped  out,  and  torn  away  the  foundations 
of  the  ancient  road-bed,  so  that  the  present  highway, 
running  beside  it,  was  at  least  from  eight  to  ten  feet 
lower,  the  solid  pavement,  lifted  on  high,  like  a  wide 
sidewalk,  still  remained  intact. 

Those  Romans  were  masterly  fellows.  The  more  we 
know  about  them  and  the  works  they  left  behind  them, 
the  more  we  respect  them.  Their  aqueducts,  bridges, 
roadways,  and  architectural  monuments  in  general  are 
substantial  evidences  of  what  they  could  accomplish. 
They  conquered  a  country,  and,  with  a  broad  conception 
of  the  principles  of  government,  made  the  people  of  it 
their  housekeepers.  They  evidently  were  men  who  did 
what  they  had  to  do  with  all  their  might. 

But  to  Hilwe  the  name  Roman  was  but  a  word  —  a 
meaningless  designation  for  a  road  or  bridge.  The 
deeds  of  the  Caesars  and  the  great  commanders  were 
unknown  to  her,  and  the  voices  of  the  orators,  statesmen, 
philosophers  and  poets,  which  have  made  notorious  or 
immortalised  the  sunny  land  of  inspiration  —  of  art  and 
arms,  science,  song  and  thought,  had  never  reached  her 
ears. 

Poor  Hilwe !  She  did  not  long  delay.  She  would 
not  take  the  time  to  rest  sufficiently.  But,  leaving 
behind  the  Roman  road,  she  made  a  decided  detour 
from  it,  at  a  wide  angle. 

The  country  traversed  was  mostly  wild  and  unculti 
vated.  She  did  not  mind  that  so  much ;  what  troubled 
her  more  was  that  she  found  no  water,  —  for  a  drought 
had  been  long  prevailing  through  a  wide  section  of  the 
land.  In  her  isolation  at  Ain  Farah  this  was  unknown 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  515 

to  her.  Though,  as  we  have  seen,  even  there,  the 
volume  of  water  had,  latterly,  greatly  diminished,  and, 
to  the  observant  eye,  skilled  in  noting  the  natural  signs, 
had  given  tokens  of  soon  ceasing  altogether. 

The  self-abnegating  Crosslett  had  not  let  her  know 
that  he  had  given  her,  and  her  little  Talmai,  on  their 
departure,  the  last  of  his  supply  of  food  and  water.  Had 
he  informed  her  of  this,  she  would  not  have  taken  it. 
It  was  pitifully  meagre,  and  was  soon  spent.  The  food 
was  a  handful  of  parched  wheat,  the  water  scarcely  a 
cupful. 

She  searched  with  feverish  eagerness  many  a  hollow 
and  moist-appearing  depression,  hoping  to  find  water ; 
but  every  such  place  she  came  to,  and  which  in 
ordinary  times  would  have  supplied  her  wants,  had  long 
been  exhausted  and  dried  up. 

In  her  ignorance  of  the  state  of  things  prevailing,  she 
thought  she  was  under  a  peculiar  judgment,  and  that  a 
curse  was  upon  her  for  what  she  had  done. 

"  Even  the  water  dries  up  before  me,"  she  exclaimed, 
in  the  bitterness  of  her  soul,  "  and  the  springs  disappear 
at  my  approach.  The  displeasure  of  Allah  follows  me 
wherever  I  go.  I  am  unfortunate.  And  he,  my  beloved, 
in  whom  my  soul  trusted,  is  taken  from  me.  I  have 
none  to  defend  me." 

At  the  thought  she  sank  upon  the  ground,  and  burst 
into  tears,  and  could  no  longer  restrain  her  lamentations, 
remembering  what  the  aga  had  told  her  as  to  Hassan's 
death. 

"  O  Hassan,  thou  canst  not  hear  me  !  Why  art  thou 
so  far  from  me?  Why  art  thou  not  here  to  protect 
thy  little  one?  Alas!  have  they  not  told  me  thou  art 
slain  in  a  far  country?  Never  again  shall  I  behold  thee. 
Oh,  my  beloved,  the  darkness  gathers  about  me,  and  the 
thick  darkness  of  sorrow  hides  the  way  !  " 

The  prattle  of  her  child  recalled  her  to  the  pressing 
necessities  which  were  closing  upon  her.  She  brushed 
away  her  tears,  and  arose. 

"  Yet  will  I  not  be  cast  down,"  she  said.  "  Talmai, 
with  the  help  of  Allah,  thy  mother  will  not  let  thee  perish. 
O  God,  have  mercy  upon  the  son  of  my  sorrow !  " 


516  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

She  pushed  forward  with  the  energy  of  desperation. 
It  seemed  as  if  a  new  strength  had  been  vouchsafed  her 
—  a  power  she  had  never  before  known. 

Suddenly  she  came  out  on  an  open  place —  sort  of 
plateau,  and  before  her  rose  a  high  and  rugged  tell 
with  a  village  on  the  summit. 

It  was  like  and  yet  unlike  Malha.  Up  the  terraced 
heights,  olives  and  vines  had  been  planted,  and  every 
little  space  and  bit  of  ground  among  the  rocks,  often  of 
only  a  few  square  feet,  had  been  taken  advantage  of  and 
cultivated. 

She  thought  it  was  a  dream.  She  could  scarcely 
believe  her  senses. 

"Is  not  my  mind  wandering?"  she  asked  herself. 
"  Hath  not  my  sorrow  distracted  me?  " 

As  she  drew  nearer,  she  saw  that  one  side  of  the  tell 
descended  with  abrupt  declivities  into  an  unusually  deep 
valley,  extending  to  the  northward.  But  in  one  of  the 
nearer  hollows  was  an  inclosed  area.  Trees  of  a  large 
size  grew  near  it. 

"  It  is  the  fountain,"  she  said.  "  Every  village  has  its 
ain.  I  shall  get  water  to  quench  our  thirst,  my  Talmai. 
Allah  hath  not  forsaken  us.  He  hath  heard  my  cry.  It 
was  wrong  to  doubt  him.  Have  I  not  known  this  of  old  ?  " 

With  this  confidence  she  advanced  till  she  stood  on 
the  edge  of  the  slope  overlooking  the  fountain,  which, 
being  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  village,  she 
made  sure  she  should  be  able  to  approach  unobserved. 
What  was  her  astonishment,  therefore,  to  behold  the 
entire  of  the  inclosure  fronting  and  including  the 
fountain  filled  with  a  crowd  of  struggling,  wrangling  and 
lamenting  women. 

She  could  not  understand  what  it  meant.  She  had 
never  seen  anything  like  it.  It  seemed  as  if  all  the 
women  of  the  village  had  collected  there. 

The  noise  of  their  complaint,  and  occasionally  the 
words  of  their  harangues  and  exclamations  reached  the 
spot  where  she  had  stopped,  transfixed  with  wonder  at 
the  sight  of  this  turbulent  gathering. 

"Will  the  heavens  have  no  pity?  Will  they  not  send 
the  timely  rain?  " 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  517 

And  again : 

"  How  long  will  Allah  withhold  his  blessing?  Surely 
he  is  dealing  bitterly  with  us." 

Expressions  such  as  these  frequently  reached  her. 
But  oftener  came  the  voice  of  anger,  of  sharp  reproach, 
and  of  strife  that  ended  not  alone  in  words. 

"  Hast  thou  no  shame,  Salha?  Dost  thou  want  all 
the  water  for  thyself?  Wouldst  thou  leave  none  for  any 
one  else?  Lo,  I  and  my  little  ones  are  consumed  with 
thirst !  " 

The  speaker,  wrought  to  the  pitch  of  frenzy  by  her 
own  words  and  the  picture  they  presented,  fell  upon  the 
offending  Salha,  and  tried  to  push  her  aside  and  wrench 
her  water-pitcher  from  her. 

Incidents  such  as  this  were  common. 

There  were  no  actual  blows ;  but  the  scuffling  was 
incessant.  All  the  women  had  their  water-pots  with 
them,  carried  in  different  positions ;  some  of  the  more 
importunate,  tired  of  waiting,  would  pass  these  vessels 
over  the  heads  of  the  other  women  to  those  nearer  the 
fountain,  hoping  to  get  a  small  quantity  of  water,  and 
occasionally,  in  the  struggling,  one  of  these  pitchers  was 
dashed  from  the  hands  of  its  owner  and  broken  to 
pieces  upon  the  pavement,  the  precious  liquid  it  con 
tained  being  spilt.  This  produced  further  lamentation. 

In  her  eagerness  to  know  all,  Hilwe  drew  nearer,  and 
soon  saw  what  the  dreadful  sight  meant. 

The  fountain  was  a  noble  one,  and  had  been  built  about 
with  unusual  care  and  at  much  cost.  It  was  fronted  with 
a  wide  semicircular  court,  handsomely  paved,  and  in 
closed  with  a  parapet  of  cut  stone.  To  this  a  flight  of 
steps,  of  easy  descent,  gave  access.  Upon  the  steps  a 
few  of  the  women  rested,  either  escaped  from  the  war 
fare  with  a  scanty  supply  of  water,  or  waiting  their  turn 
to  approach  the  fountain.  But  the  great  body  of  the 
sufferers  stood  vociferating  and  contending,  crowded 
within  the  inclosure ;  and  always  more  than  a  dozen 
women  immediately  surrounded  the  point  where  the 
water  came  out. 

The  stream,  so  abundant  at  other  times,  that  leaped 
and  spouted  through  the  opening  in  glad  beautifulness 


51 8  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

or  spendthrift  lavishness  and  was  carried  off  in  a  broad 
open  sluice  and  conduit  into  the  lower  valley,  was  now 
reduced  to  a  miserable  attenuated  dribble,  which  latterly 
threatened  to  cease  altogether,  often  only  dripping  inter 
mittently,  drop  by  drop,  over  the  green  slime  that 
marked  the  spot. 

It  was  a  torture  to  the  poor  unfortunate  villagers  to 
collect  sufficient  for  their  most  urgent  wants.  It  would 
be  difficult  to  measure  the  trial  they  were  enduring  — 
all  the  suffering  entailed  by  being  deprived  of  water, 
except  in  such  small  quantity  that  it  was  almost  a  mock 
ery,  and  an  aggravation  of  the  affliction. 

An  exterior  and  slightly  higher  wall  guarded  the 
point  where  the  steps  descended  to  the  paved  inclosure. 
On  the  broad  flat  top  a  young  man  was  stretched  at  full 
length,  seemingly  asleep.  With  the  exception  of  a  com 
panion  of  about  his  own  age,  who  reclined  in  a  similar 
position,  at  a  short  distance  off,  he  was  the  only  man 
from  the  village  who  was  present. 

He  was  not  asleep,  as  a  closer  observation  showed, 
which  made  his  apparent  equanimity  the  more  remark 
able.  His  gaze  was  intently  fixed  on  the  scene  enacted 
before  him ;  he  never  once  withdrew  his  eyes ;  he  lost 
not  a  single  movement  or  cry  of  the  seething  throng ; 
but  neither  by  word  nor  motion  nor  expression  of  coun 
tenance,  nor  any  other  outward  sign,  did  he  give  the  least 
evidence  of  sympathy  or  feeling  in  the  pitiful  contention. 

He  and  his  comrade  had  probably  been  sent  there  by 
the  village  sheik  as  a  precaution,  to  prevent  any  danger 
ous  outbreak  or  act  of  injustice,  or  excess,  and  to  keep 
the  peace,  as  far  as  possible,  under  the  extraordinary 
circumstances. 

A  gentleman,  accompanied  by  his  dragoman,  and  pre 
ceded  by  a  cavass  in  gold-embroidered  jacket,  all  being 
mounted  on  horseback,  had  come  up  through  the  by 
road,  and,  attracted  by  the  noise  of  the  tumultuous 
assemblage,  rode  aside  to  see  what  it  meant. 

It  was  the  American  consul  who  was  returning  from 
some  official  investigation. 

Horrified  at  what  he  beheld,  he  questioned  the  young 
man  from  the  village  regarding  it. 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  519 

"Why  do  they  wait  till  this  late  hour?"  he  asked. 
"  Why  do  the  women  come  all  together?  Cannot  some 
of  them  come  earlier,  and  so  avoid  this  terrible 
scene?" 

The  young  man  at  once  arose,  and  courteously 
saluted.  He  had  the  pleasing  features  and  slender  well- 
knit  figure  so  frequently  seen  in  the  men  of  the  Palestine 
villages.  Above  all,  he  had  their  inimitable  grace. 

"Ah,"  he  said,  "this  that  thou  seest  has  been  going 
on  since  early  morning.  From  early  morning  till  late  in 
the  evening,  for  nearly  six  weeks,  shortly  after  the 
drought  began,  this  has  been  our  burden  and  sorrow. 
There  has  been  no  respite." 

The  tone  of  the  man's  voice  said  more  than  the 
words.  Though  even  now  he  restrained  himself  from 
any  marked  display  of  feeling,  there  were  tears  in  his 
voice. 

"  My  God,  this  is  horrible ! "  exclaimed  the  consul. 
"  It  is  worse  than  I  supposed." 

"  It  is  worse  than  we  have  ever  known." 

"  Is  there  no  help?  " 

"  None.     Except  Allah  sends  us  rain." 

"  Are  there  no  other  fountains  or  wells  in  the  neigh 
bourhood  from  which  you  could  be  supplied?" 

A  sad  laugh,  in  which  mingled  something  of  scornful 
pride,  broke  from  the  young  fellow's  lips. 

"  There  is  no  ain  in  all  the  valley  like  ours.  It  has 
never  before  been  known  to  withhold  its  water.  When 
all  the  other  springs  and  wells  were  dry,  our  ain  was 
still  flowing.  They  that  were  thirsting  came  to  us  from 
all  the  countryside  around,  and  we  gave  them  freely  of 
our  living  water.  Not  the  dull  heavy  water  of  the  well, 
but  lightsome,  living  water,  fresh,  and  full  of  strength, 
out  of  the  heart  of  the  earth.  If  our  ain  is  dried  up,  to 
whom  then  shall  we  go?  There  is  no  one  to  give  unto 
us  as  we  gave  unto  them." 

The  consul  was  deeply  moved.  The  scene  of  the 
struggling  women  vividly  reminded  him  of  the  celebrated 
painting  by  Poussin  representing  the  Children  of 
Israel  in  the  wilderness,  when  there  was  no  water  for 
the  people  to  drink,  and  they  were  perishing  with  thirst, 


520  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

till  Moses  brought  water  out  of  the  rock  for  them.  But 
here  was  no  Moses  to  deliver. 

Especially  was  he  touched  with  the  young  man's 
courteous  grace,  preserved  in  the  midst  of  such  an 
affliction. 

"  We  Western  people  are  savages  and  brutes  as  com 
pared  with  these  Orientals,"  he  said.  "  They  shame  us 
with  their  fine  manners — their  natural  politeness." 

He  recalled  an  incident  of  the  morning,  when  meeting 
a  peasant  who  was  carrying  a  sack  of  wheat  to  the  mill 
on  his  donkey.  He  had  wished  the  man  "  Good  morn 
ing,"  which  in  the  Arabic  has  a  fuller  and  warmer  sig 
nificance  than  our  cramped  phrase,  which  has  almost  lost 
its  meaning,  —  the  former  having  more  than  the  heartiness 
of  the  Irishman  when,  in  the  original  of  the  exuberant 
old  Erse  tongue,  he  wishes  "  the  top  of  the  morning  to 
you." 

After  salaaming,  and  returning  the  consul's  wish,  the 
peasant  added,  with  an  unmistakable  sincerity,  "  Here 
am  I,  a  poor  man  —  a  fellah,  and  you,  who  are  an  hon 
ourable  man,  of  high  position,  stop  and  speak  to  me 
and  give  me  a  good  wish.  Now  you  have  made  me 
happy  for  the  rest  of  the  day.  Surely  it  is  always  the 
truly  great  who  are  gracious  and  condescending." 

Struck  with  wonder  at  the  reply,  the  consul  drew 
rein,  and  made  suitable  acknowledgment;  adding,  when 
the  man  was  departing:  "Take  care  of  your  soul." 

With  upward  wave  of  the  hand,  the  answer  came, 
quick  as  a  flash :  "  God  will  do  that." 

"  There  truly  is  more  in  this  people  than  meets  the 
eye,"  was  the  conclusion  of  the  stranger. 

And  now,  as  the  consul  waited  by  the  fountain,  think 
ing  of  the  feeling  in  the  words  of  the  poor  peasant,  and 
listening  to  the  statements  of  the  young  man,  noting,  too, 
all  his  fortitude  and  courteousness  in  the  midst  of  his 
sorrow,  while  the  wail  of  the  women  ascended  to  them, 
he  felt  more  keenly  the  bitterness  of  the  affliction 
through  which  they  were  passing. 

"  Poor  women !  It  is  a  matter  of  life  and  death  to 
them,"  he  said.  "Who  could  expect  them  to  bear  it 
any  better  than  they  are  doing?  " 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  521 

And  the  man  simply  answered,  "  Yea,"  mournfully 
shaking  his  shapely  head. 

At  this  his  companion  aroused  himself. 

"  He  has  not  quenched  his  thirst,  or  tasted  a  drop  of 
water  since  the  morning,"  he  said. 

"  That  is  as  nothing,"  came  the  reply  of  the  noble 
fellow.  "  Are  there  not  sick  among  us  and  women  and 
children  who  need  it  far  more  than  I  do?  " 

"  Ah !  "  said  the  consul,  as,  reluctantly  bidding  the 
young  men  farewell,  he  left  the  stricken  villagers,  and 
went  upon  his  way,  "  is  not  this  young  man  like  to  him 
whom  Christ,  beholding,  loved?  Would  not  the  Master 
love  one  like  this?  Would  he  not  let  him  lean  his  head 
upon  his  breast?  I  no  longer  wonder  that  He  chose  to 
be  born  of  this  people.  For,  though  it  seems  strangely 
to  be  overlooked,  Christ  had  in  his  veins  the  blood  of 
the  ancient  people  of  the  land  —  the  Canaanites,  Moab- 
itcs,  Hittites,  Ammonites  and  others,  as  well  as  that  of 
Israel.  I  am  glad  of  it.  There  is  a  profound  meaning 
in  it." 


CHAPTER  XLIX 

NOW  all  this  while  Hilwe  remained  near,  and  her 
heart  was  cast  down  when  she  heard  and  saw  the 
trouble  of  the  place,  and  how  the  drought  had  dried  up 
the  fountain  till  there  was  not  sufficient  water  for  the 
inhabitants. 

"  There  is  no  help  or  abiding-place  here  for  me  and 
my  child,"  she  said ;  "  nor  can  they  who  have  it  not  for 
themselves  spare  enough  water  to  quench  our  thirst.  I 
could  not  ask  it.  God  help  them  and  us.  I  must  even 
depart  as  I  came.  Are  we  ever  to  be  wanderers,  seeking 
rest  and  finding  none?  Surely  I  have  fallen  upon  evil 
days ;  there  is  none  here  I  can  ask  to  give  us  a  morsel 
of  bread  or  a  draught  of  water.  I  am  an  outcast  of  my 
own  people.  Come,  Talmai,  let  us  be  going.  As  long 
as  I  have  thee  to  care  for,  I  must  take  courage  and  hope 
for  deliverance." 


522  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

She  raised  the  boy  astride  of  her  shoulder,  after  the 
fashion  of  the  country,  and  with  bowed  head  went  up  by 
the  path  that  led  beneath  the  village,  and  so  by  the  steep 
ascent  behind  the  fountain  and  the  trees. 

An  old  woman  sat  by  the  wayside,  resting.  Her 
water-pot,  lowered  from  her  head,  stood  near.  As  Hilwe 
came  by,  the  salutations  of  the  land,  with  the  usual  good 
wishes,  were  exchanged  between  them.  Then,  as  she 
thought  of  the  sufferings  of  her  child,  she  could  no  longer 
refrain. 

"  Alas  !  how  can  one  as  wretched  as  I  am  wish  a  bless 
ing  to  any  one?  "  she  cried. 

"What  aileth  thee,  my  daughter?"  asked  the  old 
woman. 

"  There  is  no  water,  and  my  child  hath  not  quenched 
his  thirst  since  early  to-day.  For  the  love  of  God,  if 
thou  canst,  give  him  to  drink  that  he  perish  not.  I 
thought  not  to  ask  water  of  any  one.  I  thought  to  find 
it  among  the  rocks.  But  the  springs  dried  up  before  me, 
as  though  I  was  accursed." 

The  first  impulse  of  the  aged  woman  was  to  seize  the 
water-pot  and  give  to  the  thirsting,  as  she  had  been  accus 
tomed  to  do  from  her  girlhood.  Then  she  paused, 
remembering  all.  Her  head  drooped  on  her  breast,  a 
flush  of  shame  on  her  wrinkled  cheek  and  forehead. 

"  I  have  been  dreaming,"  she  said.  "  I  thought  myself 
once  more  a  young  maiden  coming  from  the  ain  to  the 
village,  balancing  upon  my  head  my  kulleh  filled  from 
the  cool,  plenteous  flood.  Never  was  there  an  ain  like 
ours.  We  were  proud  of  it,  and  gave  liberally  of  the 
water  to  all  that  asked.  We  could  not  build  a  place 
beautiful  enough  for  it.  It  was  like  an  angel  of  God.  It 
made  glad  all  the  hillside,  and  kissed  the  valley  till  it 
smiled  back  in  corn  and  wine  and  oil." 

The  sunshine  of  her  childhood  came,  and  once  more 
lighted  up  and  beautified  her  aged  face  as  she  spoke. 

"  Never  till  now  have  I  known  it  to  fail,"  she  continued. 
"  To-day  I  stood  before  it  from  early  morn  till  this  hour, 
waiting  my  turn,  while  the  scanty  drops  trickled  down, 
and  my  strength  gave  out.  Some  of  the  younger  women 
at  last  took  pity  on  me,  and  let  me  come  near.  They 


Hassan :  a  Fellah 


523 


knew  my  daughter  was  lying  sick  of  a  fever.  I  am 
ashamed  to  tell  thee  — -  but  the  water  is  not  enough 
for  our  wants.  Nevertheless  I  shall  share  it  with  thee, 
and  Allah  replenish  our  store." 

"  Nay,"  said  Hilwe,  "  I  cannot  deprive  thee  of  it.  I 
am  grieved  for  thy  trouble.  It  was  wrong  of  me  to  ask 
thee.  The  thought  of  my  child  betrayed  me.  God  bless 
thee  for  thy  kindness,  all  the  same." 

The  old  woman  at  once  arose. 

"  Thou  art  a  stranger  and  a  wayfarer,"  she  said ;  "  I 
cannot  deny  thee."  She  raised  the  water-vessel  with 
trembling  hands.  "  Drink,  thou  and  thy  little  one,  in 
the  name  of  the  All-Merciful.  Thou  art  welcome. 
Drink." 

She  held  the  water  to  Talmai's  lips,  and  when  he  had 
drank,  she  gave  also  to  Hilwe,  who  could  no  longer 
refuse. 

"  Blessed  be  thou  and  thy  people,"  exclaimed  Hilwe, 
as  she  kissed  the  old  woman's  hand.  "  God  send  thee 
prosperity  and  peace.  Thy  heart  is  right.  Thou  hast 
shown  kindness  to  the  unfortunate.  Thou  hast  restored 
my  life  and  the  life  of  my  child  this  day." 

With  the  usual  superabundant  exchange  of  salutations 
they  parted. 

The  old  woman  returned  to  her  sick  daughter  in  the 
village. 

Hilwe  wearily  plodded  up  the  tedious  ascent,  taking 
the  by-road,  which  presently  passed  into  the  highway. 
This  recently  had  been  greatly  improved,  through  the 
enforced  labour  of  the  peasants.  It  had  been  straightened 
and  much  shortened  by  cutting  out  unnecessary  curves. 
It  was  now  a  fine  macadamised  road,  though  it  still, 
where  necessary,  wound  up  and  down  the  steeper  hills 
with  many  a  zigzag  course.  But  it  was  no  pleasant  sight 
to  the  poor  fellaheen,  as  they  remembered  the  days  of 
unremunerative  toil  expended  on  it  by  themselves,  their 
wives,  and  their  children.  They  valued  not  the  improve 
ment. 

"  It  is  naught  to  us,"  they  said.  "  What  doth  it  profit 
us?" 

The  day,  at  length,  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and  the 


524  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

wanderer  began  anxiously  to  consider  where  she  might 
find  a  resting-place  for  the  night.  She  had  left  the 
highway  far  behind ;  the  country  was  unusually  rough 
and  broken,  but  the  fear  she  had  of  the  main  roads  made 
it  comparatively  pleasant  to  her.  The  brush  and  scrub 
were  so  wild  and  thick  they  greatly  impeded  her  way, 
but  she  pushed  on  as  if  she  scarcely  noticed  this,  eagerly 
watching  for  some  hollow  or  cave  where  she  and  Talmai 
might  take  shelter. 

It  was  a  lonely  place,  with  the  desolate  aspect  of  a 
wilderness.  Not  a  bird  was  visible.  The  gay  flowers 
which,  earlier  in  the  season,  had  lent  their  charms  to 
beautify  it,  had  gone  to  seed  and  were  withered  and 
dried,  consumed  by  the  fierceness  of  the  sun  and  want  of 
rain.  Only  such  plants  and  shrubs  as  could  well  sustain 
the  drought  were  to  be  seen  among  the  thorn-bushes 
with  their  spiny,  contorted  growths.  They  represented 
millenniums  of  endurance.  The  thorn  of  the  crucifixion 
was  there,  and  the  stubborn  burnet  with  its  clusters  of 
dull  reddish  flowers  grew  in  a  tangled  mass  with  the 
yellow  prickly  broom  and  abounding  thyme.  Defiant 
of  the  rainless  season,  these  held  their  ground  as  if  by 
divine  right. 

More  than  once  Hilwe  had  halted,  thinking  she  heard 
a  signal  call.  The  profound  stillness  of  the  place  was 
awe-inspiring,  and  made  the  least  sound  unduly  audible. 

"  I  am  growing  timorous  and  foolish,"  she  tried  to 
assure  herself,  "  It  is  naught  but  the  cry  of  the 
partridge." 

But  again  came  the  peculiar  sound,  on  the  right,  and 
much  nearer.  It  was  answered,  after  a  few  seconds,  on 
the  left. 

This  time  there  could  be  no  mistake.  She  recognised 
the  signals  used  by  the  villagers. 

Once  more  they  were  repeated,  and  now  close  at  hand, 
and  startlingly  clear. 

"We  are  tracked,"  she  said.  "They  are  pursuing 
after  us,  and  will  take  us.  We  are  lost." 

Hardly  had  she  spoken  when  she  saw  a  number  of  men 
pouring  over  an  adjoining  ridge.  They  uttered  a  shout 
of  triumph  as  they  came  upon  her. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  525 

She  clasped  her  boy  more  tightly  to  her,  and  dashed 
forward,  hoping  to  find  some  place  in  which  to  hide,  and 
so  evade  her  pursuers. 

Vain  hope  !     She  was  surrounded. 

The  glaring  eyes,  the  dark,  wolfish  faces,  how  they 
terrified  her !  A  piercing  scream  parted  her  lips  as  she 
saw  they  were  men  of  Malha.  This  was  answered  by  a 
shout  of  derision  and  mocking  laughter. 

They  dragged  her  from  behind  a  thorn-bush  where 
she  had  attempted  to  conceal  herself. 

"  Have  mercy  !  "  she  cried.  "  Deal  not  so  cruelly  with 
me,  for  the  sake  of  the  child." 

"  We  have  searched  for  thee  many  days,  and  now  thou 
art  delivered  into  our  hands.  Doubt  not  we  shall  deal 
righteously  with  thee,"  was  their  reply. 

They  questioned  her  closely  as  to  herself  and  the 
child. 

"Whose  is  the  lad?"  they  asked. 

She  hung  her  head  and  wept. 

"  Hide  nothing  from  us,"  they  said.  "  Tell  us  every 
thing  without  dissembling,  lest  it  be  worse  with  thee," 
—  in  this,  and  otherwise,  implying  they  would  not  use 
extreme  measures  in  her  case. 

She  told  them  all,  and  frankly  answered  their  ques 
tions. 

They  heard  her  quietly  to  the  end,  without  expressing 
anger.  And  yet  there  was  in  their  manner  that  which 
did  not  deceive  her. 

Knowing  what  she  knew,  she  could  have  but  little 
hope.  She  remembered  what  Kadra  had  told  her.  The 
fate  of  Amne  had  haunted  her  ever  since  she  had  known  it. 

As  she  saw  Abd-el-nour  and  her  uncle  Ismail  among 
the  men  who  had  hunted  her,  it  only  added  to  her 
fears,  and  increased  her  doubts  of  receiving  mercy. 
From  the  savage  custom  governing  in  a  case  like  this, 
they  would  appear  as  the  chief  accusers  and  execu 
tioners. 

"  She  hath  confessed ;  she  is  self-condemned,"  they 
said.  "  She  hath  brought  this  disgrace  upon  us.  It 
is  our  duty  to  wipe  the  stain  off.  Her  life  is  the  only 
expiation." 


526  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

The  twilight  was  dying  out  on  the  hillside.  The  last 
surges  of  day  were  breaking  in  golden  waves  against  the 
topmost  heights.  The  monotonous  blue  of  the  sky  was 
fading  to  a  pale  gray  tint,  with  a  few  greenish  lights  at 
the  horizon.  Night  would  soon  be  upon  them.  The 
night  of  death  was  closing  upon  Hilwe  and  her  son. 

"  It  will  be  dark  before  we  reach  Malha,"  the  men 
told  themselves. 

As  they  hastened  on  their  way,  dragging  her  with 
them,  she  heard  them  mutter  that  they  would  confine 
her  in  some  secret  place  for  the  present,  or  until  the 
morrow. 

After  it  was  quite  dark,  they  were  still  leading  their 
captives,  —  the  sad-eyed  weary  mother  and  her  son,  — 
to  the  dread  fate  decreed  them.  To  the  rocky  defiles, 
through  which  they  passed,  difficult  to  penetrate  in  the 
daylight,  the  darkness  added  a  thousand  horrors.  They 
were  taking  her  to  the  Black  Valley,  —  that  nameless 
abomination, — that  place  of  mystery,  of  fear,  and  vio 
lence,  of  swift  judgment  and  pitiless  execution,  the  tomb 
of  the  unchaste  and  the  degraded. 

They  were  taking  her  there.  It  could  have  but  one 
meaning. 

All  the  way,  —  to  her  a  Via  Dolorosa,  —  every  tremb 
ling  step  she  took  in  the  uncertain  gloom,  she  thought  of 
Amne's  fate  as  prophetic  of  her  own.  She  was  walking 
to  her  death. 

And  was  this  to  be  Hilwe's  end,  —  branded  as  a  wan 
ton  and  an  outcast  by  her  own  people,  her  soul  smitten 
from  the  body,  even  her  child  overwhelmed  in  the  de 
struction  which  had  overtaken  her? 

She  had  appealed  to  them  in  vain.  In  the  black 
misery  of  that  night  who  can  tell  what  she  suffered? 
The  horror  of  it  had  struck  her  silent.  She  had  no 
words  which  could  express  it. 

She  suppressed  her  sighs,  lest  she  should  awaken 
Talmai. 

Once  a  passionate  fit  of  sobbing  burst  from  her  lips. 

"  Oh,  if  Kadra  but  knew,"  she  said,  "  she  would  not 
rest  till  she  had  done  something  to  deliver  us !  " 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  527 


CHAPTER  L 

THE  St.  Georges  are  rare  characters.  There  are 
not  many  of  them  to  be  found  in  the  world. 
Nor  are  the  St.  Theodores  who  trample  down  the  mud- 
wallowing  saurian  of  fleshly  desire  much  more  common 
than  the  virgin  Sir  Galahads,  brave  knights  of  the  Holy 
Grail,  who  each  can  say  of  himself,  "  I  never  felt  the  kiss 
of  love  nor  maiden's  hand  in  mine."  The  nineteenth  cen 
tury  will  present  few  if  any  candidates  for  canonisation. 
But  among  that  few,  it  is  highly  probable,  no  more 
worthy  name  will  appear  upon  the  blood-blanched  roll 
than  that  of  George  Crosslett,  he  who  was  derisively 
named  St.  George  by  those  who  might  easily  have 
discovered  among  themselves  more  suitable  subjects 
for  mockery. 

When  Crosslett  found  himself  once  more  alone,  the 
retreating  figure  of  Hilwe  and  her  child  fast  disappear 
ing  in  the  distance,  his  heart  began  to  misgive  him,  and 
he  blamed  himself  in  that  he  had  let  her  depart,  unpro 
tected,  exposed  to  so  many  dangers,  and  with  so  little 
provision  for  the  way. 

The  few  words  in  which  she  had  told  him  her  trouble 
had  deeply  impressed  him.  He  fancied  she  looked  like 
Hagar  with  her  son  Ishmael,  which  only  helped  to  stimu 
late  his  sympathies. 

Yet,  with  existing  prejudices,  how  could  he  have 
accompanied  her?  She  would  not  have  permitted  it. 
He  had  given  her  his  last  morsel  of  food,  his  last  cupful 
of  water.  What  more  could  be  expected  of  him?  It 
might  well  seem  it  should  have  been  easy  for  him  to  say 
he  had  done  what  he  could,  and  so  rest  satisfied.  But 
that  was  not  his  temper  or  his  spirit. 

Something  in  this  girl-mother  and  her  son  had  deeply 
moved  him.  How  virginal  she  seemed  !  Her  great  inno 
cent  eyes  had  appealed  to  him.  They  had  touched  his 
gentle  manly  heart,  from  which  woman  had  been  so  long 
shut  out,  in  a  way  of  which  he  was  scarcely  conscious. 
It  was  pity,  and  something  more  than  pity. 


528  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

How  dreary  and  woe-begone  were  his  surroundings,  — 
the  despoiled  field,  stripped  of  its  fruits,  the  broken- 
down  fence  and  hedge.  Fit  symbol  of  the  daughter  of 
Zion,  the  booth  or  lodge  of  withered  boughs,  left  stand 
ing  in  the  midst,  had  ceased  to  be  of  much  protection 
or  pleasure  to  look  at.  Its  upper  staging,  \vhence  the 
owners  had  kept  watch  over  the  garden,  and  which,  since 
their  desertion  on  the  gathering  in  of  the  crop,  had  been 
Crosslett's  sleeping-place,  had  meagre  shelter  in  the  lean 
branches,  the  shrivelled  leaves  having  mostly  fallen  away. 
To  the  left  was  the  pile  of  ashes,  the  remains  of  the 
nightly  watch-fires  which  had  lighted  up  the  place  and 
shown  the  approach  of  marauders.  Back  of  the  booth 
was  the  shallow  excavation  in  the  clay  bank,  which 
afforded  a  poor  retreat  in  the  worst  weather,  and  had 
left  its  too  manifest  stains  on  Crosslett's  raiment. 

It  all  was  wretched  enough.  It  was  the  only  home  he 
had,  if  home  it  could  be  called.  Yet  what  a  peaceful 
solitude  he  had  found  there,  with  such  golden  expe 
riences  of  spiritual  communion  as  tongue  may  not 
reveal ! 

Almost  unconsciously  he  had  formed  the  determina 
tion  that  he  would  follow  Hilwe. 

He  had  little  or  no  belongings  of  consequence  to  bur 
den  himself  with  or  leave  behind.  He  could  start  at  a 
moment's  notice.  Why  should  he  regret  turning  his 
back  upon  the  place? 

His  small  supply  of  food  and  water  was  gone.  He 
had  given  it  away.  He  must  seek  elsewhere  to  renew 
it.  Why  not  take  the  direction  which  she  had  taken  as 
well  as  any  other?  It  was  a  natural  conclusion. 

"  I  shall  follow  her,  afar  off,"  he  said.  "  I  shall  see 
that  no  harm  befalls  her." 

But  Hilwe  had  had  too  great  a  start.  Before  Crosslett 
set  out  she  had  long  passed  out  of  sight,  and,  not  having 
adhered  to  his  directions  as  to  the  route,  simply  from 
not  comprehending  them  and  from  her  devious  wander 
ings  in  search  of  water,  he  saw  nothing  of  her  till  he 
caught  a  glimpse  of  her  at  the  point  where  she  crossed 
the  main  road,  leaving  it  behind  her. 

He  saw   the    slender   figure   bowed   with  weariness, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  529 

struggling  forward,  the  child  bound  to  her  back,  and; 
again  he  thought  of  Hagar  and  Ishmael. 

He  hastened  with  all  his  might  to  keep  her  in  view. 
But  meanwhile,  before  overtaking  her,  the  men  of 
Malha  burst  upon  the  scene. 

It  was  easy  to  understand  the  meaning  of  what 
he  beheld.  He  saw  them  drag  her  from  her  place 
of  concealment,  and  heard  her  cry  for  mercy.  What 
man,  with  far  less  righteous  enthusiasm  than  pertained 
to  Crosslett,  could  withstand  such  an  appeal? 

Detecting  him  following  them,  twice  they  had  driven 
him  back,  with  rough  usage.  He  had  begged  them  to 
refrain  from  committing  any  act  of  violence  upon  the 
unfortunate  woman  whom  they  had  captured. 

"What  hast  thou  to  do  with  us?"  they  angrily  ex 
claimed.  "Who  art  thou?  Whence  comest  thou?  We 
know  thee  not.  Thou  hast  no  authority  over  us  to  in 
terfere  with  us  in  what  is  our  own  affair,  and  none  of 
thine.  Beware !  Take  heed,  lest  we  deal  with  thee 
according  to  thy  deserts.  Go  thy  way,  and  trouble  us 
not." 

This  sounded  too  much  like  the  ancient  voice  of  in 
iquity  which  had  once  dominated  the  land,  and  the 
echoes  of  which  still  lingered  there,  to  pass  unrebuked 
of  Crosslett.  He  hesitated  not  in  speaking  his  mind, 
finally  threatening  them  with  the  interference  of  the 
authorities. 

His  denunciations  galled  them. 

"  This  is  a  dangerous  fellow,"  said  Abd-el-nour. 
"  He  will  make  complaint  of  us  in  Jerusalem.  And 
who  can  tell  what  may  come  of  it?" 

"  Thou  speakest  truly,"  acquiesced  Ismail. 

"  Let  us  make  an  end  of  him,"  suggested  Abd-el-nour. 
"This  is  my  advice." 

The  others  urged  caution,  shaking  their  heads 
dubiously. 

"  This  is  not  the  place  to  do  it,"  they  said.  "  Let  us 
go  farther." 

But  they  freely  joined  in  preventing  Crosslett  follow 
ing  them,  and  when  next  he  approached,  drove  him 
back  with  increased  fury. 

34 


530  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

"  He  is  no  more  than  a  gad-fly,"  they  shouted.  They 
attacked  him  with  such  violence  that  when  they  re 
sumed  their  journey,  he  was  left  lying  upon  the  ground, 
unconscious,  and  bleeding  from  more  than  one  wound. 
A  little  more  of  their  stoning  would  have  made  him  a 
martyr. 

Hilwe  perceived  the  scuffling  and  contention,  but 
knew  not  what  it  meant,  and  supposed  it  to  be  some  dis 
pute  among  themselves. 

"  Is  he  dead  ?  "  asked  those  of  the  party  who  had  re 
mained  on  watch  with  Hilwe,  on  hearing  certain 
remarks. 

"  If  he  is  —  and  it  is  likely  that  he  is  dead  —  he  has 
brought  it  on  himself,"  replied  Abd-el-nour.  "We  are 
blameless." 

They  hastened  more  rapidly  on  their  way,  and  talked 
more  freely  as  to  what  they  purposed  doing  with  Hilwe, 
so  that  she  overheard  them.  She  had  not  ceased  to 
use  every  opportunity  to  implore  their  compassion. 
But  their  brutal  replies  robbed  her  of  all  hope.  They 
were  evidently  spurring  themselves  up  to  the  accom 
plishment  of  the  crime  they  had  decided  on  committing. 
Their  murderous  attack  on  Crosslett  had  only  whetted 
their  appetite  and  further  exasperated  them. 

Unfounded  hatred,  the  parent  of  indefinite  vindictive- 
ness,  is  one  of  the  most  difficult  of  evils  to  contend  with. 
There  is  no  arguing  with  it.  It  knows  no  law,  is  with 
out  reason,  and  has  no  mercy.  It  is  from  this  that, 
often,  the  most  detestable  and  unaccountable  murders  and 
other  crimes  which  shock  civilisation  have  their  origin. 

It  was  clear  from  their  conversation  that  the  Thar  — - 
the  blood-feud  between  Malha  and  Bettir  —  had  a  pre 
dominant  influence  in  their  determination  as  to  Hilwe's 
doom. 

"  To  have  been  as  one  of  the  foolish  women  was  evil 
sufficient,  of  unbearable  shame,  and  worthy  of  death," 
said  her  uncle  Ismail ;  "  but  that  a  man  of  Bettir  should 
have  humbled  her  —  for  that  there  is  no  forgiveness." 

On  which  they  all  applauded. 

"  It  is  according  to  our  ancient  custom,"  they  said, 
"  that  thou  shouldst  lead  in  wiping  out  the  stain." 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  531 

"  True !  see  thou  adherest  to  it,"  said  Abd-el-nour. 
"  I  am  ready  to  do  my  part." 

An  extraordinarily  grim  expression,  one  of  savage 
pride  mingled  with  awful  implacability,  sat  on  Ismail's 
features. 

"  I  know  my  duty,"  he  said.  "  Yea,  I  shall  not  fail 
to  perform  it.  Yet  it  were  as  well  to  refrain  from  the 
final  act  till  we  have  the  decision  of  the  sheik  upon  it." 

To  this  the  majority  assented. 

"  Thou  dost  not  need  to  wait  the  sheik's  judgment," 
interrupted  Abd-el-nour,  whose  conceit  had  never  re 
covered  the  \vound  it  had  received  in  Hilwe's  humiliat 
ing  rejection  of  him. 

But  the  rest  continued  to  hold  to  Ismail's  view. 
There  was  in  it  a  relief  from  personal  responsibility 
which,  under  the  circumstances,  could  not  but  be  agree 
able  to  them. 

When  Crosslett  recovered  his  senses,  all  was  quiet 
around  him.  The  band  of  Malhaites  had  gone  down 
into  the  lower  valley  with  their  captives,  and  nothing 
was  to  be  seen  or  heard  of  any  of  them. 

Binding  up  his  wounds  as  best  he  could,  he  made  his 
way  back  into  the  main  road  which  led  to  Jerusalem. 
The  undaunted  man  had  determined  to  reach  the  city 
that  night,  and  rouse  the  authorities  into  sending  a 
party  to  the  rescue  of  Hilwe  and  her  son. 

His  faith  sustained  him.  His  bruised  and  battered 
body,  in  its  flimsy  shred  of  garment,  did  not  seem  to 
avail  much. 

"The  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty!  "  he  kept 
repeating.  "  It  can  do  wonders." 

He  felt  with  intense  accountability  the  importance  of 
every  moment,  and  pushed  forward,  in  spite  of  his  weak 
ness,  when  one  less  indomitable  would  have  sunk  by  the 
wayside,  helpless. 

Darkness  had  settled  down  on  all  the  sea-coast  and 
lowlands  of  Palestine ;  but  a  figment  of  daylight,  like  a 
gray  burial-shroud,  still  hung  suspended  over  the  hill- 
country.  It  was  barely  enough  to  dimly  illumine  his 
path,  and  its  feeble  aid  would  soon  vanish. 


532  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

Suddenly,  out  of  the  ashen-gray  sky  burst  a  golden- 
orange  radiance. 

"  Ah,  it  is  the  wondrous  afterglow,  to  light  me  on 
my  way !  "  he  said. 

Seven  times  it  flamed  up  out  of  that  sombre  ashen- 
gray,  and  seven  times  died  out.  But  before  finally 
disappearing,  it  had  greatly  helped  him  on  his  road. 

"  Surely,  it  is  a  sign  from  heaven,"  he  told  himself, 
and,  like  Paul,  "  he  thanked  God  and  took  courage." 

But  how  many  miles  still  lay  between  him  and  his 
goal !  He  had  stumbled  and  fallen  in  the  darkness. 
His  weariness  was  beginning  to  tell  upon  him.  It 
seemed  impossible  that  he  could  much  longer  keep 
walking  at  the  rate  at  which  he  had  been  going,  or  in 
deed  moving  at  all,  especially  as  the  way  had  become 
obscured.  Were  all  his  efforts  to  be  useless? 

Notwithstanding,  he  had  not  doubted  —  no,  not  once. 

"  Doubts  are  not  for  me,"  he  said. 

As  he  lay  breathless  upon  the  highway,  he  heard  the 
rumble  of  a  carriage  coming  from  the  direction  of  a  by 
road.  It  was  a  landau,  three  horses  abreast,  driven  at  a 
furious  rate.  Within  it  was  a  belated  traveller.  They 
were  plainly  trying  to  make  up  for  lost  time ;  and  when 
the  horses  shied  and  plunged,  startled  by  the  uncouth 
ghost-like  figure  in  the  road,  the  gentleman  who  oc 
cupied  the  carriage  did  not  fail  to  express  his  annoy 
ance.  But  this  soon  changed  to  pity,  as  he  caught 
sight  of  the  wretched  exhausted  object  in  the  shape  of  a 
man  who  appealed  to  him  in  the  excellent  language  of 
the  English  Bible,  and  explained  his  forlorn  condition, 
and  the  urgent  necessity  for  his  reaching  Jerusalem  with 
out  delay. 

The  door  of  the  landau  was  thrown  open. 

"  Jump  in,  man,  and  don't  stand  there  talking ;  I  my 
self  am  in  a  hurry,"  came  the  rough  but  kindly  English 
invitation. 

To  Crosslett  it  was  the  chariot  of  the  Lord  and  the 
horsemen  thereof,  as  he  bowled  over  the  road  at  such  a 
tremendous  velocity  he  felt  as  if  he  were  flying  on  the 
wings  of  an  angel. 

Yes ;  according  to  his  faith  it  was  unto  him.     He  was 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  533 

in  Jerusalem  that  night,  and  at  an  earlier  hour  than  he 
had  hoped  for. 

"  God  always  goes  beyond  our  hopes,  and  does  better 
for  us  than  we  expected,  if  we  only  put  our  trust  in 
him,"  was  his  quiet  acknowledgment.  "  Had  we  only 
more  faith,  \\c  could  remove  mountains.  They  say  the 
day  of  pure  unquestioning  faith  is  gone,  except  for  the 
ignorant  and  wilfully  superstitious.  Men  now  take  God 
and  his  revelation  in  hand,  and  cross-examine  them,  re 
ferring  their  testimony  to  the  class  to  be  considered 
doubtful  if  not  untrustworthy." 

But  Crosslett's  work  had  scarcely  more  than  begun. 
Of  course  all  the  consulates  and  public  offices  in  Jeru 
salem  had  long  been  closed  for  the  day.  They  would 
not  be  opened  till  the  next  morning  at  the  regular  hour. 
He  had  hastened  to  the  American  Consulate ;  but  the 
government  cavass  on  guard  there  informed  him  the 
consul  had  been  called  away  on  important  duty,  and 
was  not  expected  to  return  before  the  following 
afternoon. 

Such  of  the  Turkish  officials  as  he  managed  to  pene 
trate  to,  treated  him  with  their  usual  easy  and  polite  in 
difference.  They  well  knew  that  the  matter  on  which  he 
came,  relating  entirely  to  Turkish  subjects,  his  consul 
would  not  and  could  not  interfere  in.  But  this  they  did 
not  take  the  trouble,  or  were  too  courteous,  to  tell  him. 
He  brought  no  charges  of  the  murderous  assault  upon 
himself;  and  had  he  done  so,  they  must  have  gone 
through  his  consul,  and  be  tried  by  the  Turkish  court, 
with  its  notorious  procrastination. 

Quick  to  take  the  measure  of  a  man,  while  they  had  a 
certain  tolerance  and  respect  for  what  they  considered 
Crosslett's  good  qualities,  and  especially  his  virtues  as 
a  hakim  who  charged  no  fees,  they  regarded  him  as  a 
religious  erratic,  flighty,  and  without  standing  or  influ 
ence.  His  statements  they  could  give  but  little  weight  to, 
and  quietly  relegated  them  to  what  are  called  "  fairytales." 

Crosslett  had  learned  that  the  local  authorities  had  at 
the  moment  no  force  which  was  available  for  his  object. 
The  zaptiehs  were  away  on  some  special  duty,  the  time 
of  their  return  depending  on  the  completion  of  their 


534 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


task.  The  matter  would  be  duly  considered  and  at 
tended  to,  he  was  informed,  when  properly  presented 
and  authenticated,  as  the  law  required. 

While  engaged  in  this  wearisome  work,  almost  mad 
dening  from  its  waste  of  precious  time,  certain  facts  in 
the  tragic  ending  of  poor  Amne  reached  Crosslett. 
They  greatly  aggravated  his  fears  for  Hilwe,  the  danger 
of  whose  position  he  perceived  he  had  not  exaggerated 
in  the  slightest  degree.  He  was  told  that  Count  Leone 
Spoliate,  the  young  Italian  nobleman,  having  returned 
to  Jerusalem,  was  intent  on  sifting  the  case  of  Amne  to 
the  bottom,  and  having  the  murderers  punished.  Here 
was  Crosslett's  opportunity.  He  at  once  sought  the 
count,  and  laid  before  him  all  the  particulars  regarding 
Hilwe's  capture  by  the  men  of  Malha. 

Though  now  late  at  night,  Leone  had  not  gone  to 
bed,  but,  filled  with  remorse,  was  sitting  up,  brooding 
over  the  horrors  of  the  double  murder,  and  the  failure  of 
justice  under  Turkish  methods. 

It  did  not  take  many  words  to  inspire  him  as  to  what 
should  be  done  in  this  new  display  of  cruelty.  The  un 
adorned  account  of  Crosslett,  himself  an  evidence  of  the 
violent  natures  of  those  men  of  blood,  set  Leone  on  fire. 
He  determined  to  make  an  appeal  to  the  authorities  for 
a  band  of  soldiers  to  arrest  the  men  and  deliver  Hilwe 
and  her  son.  If  not  successful  in  obtaining  this,  he 
had  made  up  his  mind  to  venture  his  life  in  the  attempt 
to  rescue  the  captives.  And  he  flattered  himself  he 
should  be  accompanied  by  such  as  would  volunteer 
their  aid,  in  sufficient  numbers  to  insure  the  success  of 
the  incursion. 

But  the  local  authorities,  disturbed  at  such  an  un 
seemly  hour,  and  in  this  irregular  unofficial  way,  for 
what  appeared  to  them  an  entirely  inadequate  reason, 
and  on  the  representations  of  one  to  them  little  better 
than  a  lunatic,  were  not  prepared  to  take  any  such  step 
as  that  desired,  at  a  moment's  notice  and  without  the 
fullest  investigation. 

"  Wait  till  the  morrow." 

"  Boukra  —  boukra,"  was  the  decision. 

"  I   know  we  are  irregular  in  coming  to  you  in  this 


Hassan :  a  Fellah 


535 


way,"  admitted  Leone.  "  As  an  Italian  subject,  I  should 
have  come  through  the  consul  of  the  King  of  Italy; 
and  Mr.  Crosslett,  who  has  been  murderously  assaulted, 
through  the  American  consul." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  they  eagerly  assented. 

"  But  time  did  not  admit  of  this.  We  felt  that,  did 
you  know  the  facts,  you  would  see  the  necessity  of  act 
ing  promptly." 

"Yes,  yes.  Boukra —  to-morrow,"  was  the  only  sat 
isfaction  he  got. 

Equally  disappointed  was  Leone  as  to  the  volunteers 
he  expected  to  join  him.  Not  one  offered ;  and  when 
he  had  recourse  to  expostulations  and  bribes,  the  result 
was  no  better. 

One  man,  whom  he  had  specially  assured  himself  of 
having  with  him,  plainly  gave  his  reasons  for  declining 
the  adventure. 

"  This  is  an  affair  in  which  a  man's  life  is  exposed," 
he  said.  "  It  is  dangerous  work." 

"  No  doubt,"  admitted  Leone. 

"Then  I  would  advise  you  to  have  nothing  to  do  with 
it.  Let  the  government  attend  to  it." 

"  If  that  is  your  advice,"  thundered  Leone,  "  I  have 
no  use  for  it.  You  can  keep  it.  I  pity  your  cowardly 
nature." 

The  fact  was  that  the  reports  of  the  violence  and 
high-handed  deeds  of  certain  of  the  Malhaites  had  ter 
rorised  the  people. 

All  this  delay  was  maddening  to  Leone  and  Crosslett. 

"  We  have  no  time  to  spare :  we  must  not  lose  a 
moment,"  they  had  kept  telling  themselves.  Notwith 
standing,  hours  more  precious  than  gold  had  been 
melted  in  the  crucible  of  Turkish  inertia. 

"  All  this  time  has  been  wasted,"  exclaimed  Leone. 
"  We  have  thrown  it  away  for  nothing,  in  trying  to 
move  them.  Yet  am  I  determined  to  attempt  the  rescue, 
even  if  I  have  to  go  alone." 

"  I  shall  go  with  you,  to  the  death,"  was  the  impas 
sioned  utterance  of  Crosslett. 

"  And  then  there  is  Selim,"  added  Leone,  turning  to 
his  servant.  "  You  will  go,  Selim?  " 


53 6  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Ay,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Hasten  and  saddle  me  Al  Borak.  He  is  a  host  in 
himself.  And  see  if  you  can  procure  two  other  horses. 
The  day  is  breaking.  Remember,  every  moment  is 
precious." 


CHAPTER   LI 

IT  was  broad  daylight  by  the  time  the  three  horsemen 
passed  beneath  King  David's  Tower  and  through 
the  Jaffa  Gate  on  their  errand  of  mercy  and  justice. 

Leone  and  his  horse  Al  Borak,  now  become  a  part  of 
each  other,  were  the  leading  spirits,  and  naturally  took 
the  precedence.  Crosslett,  a  flaming  soul  in  his  rare 
enthusiasm,  would  have  kept  alongside,  neck  and  neck, 
if  not  in  advance;  but  Al  Borak  would  not  have  it  so. 
It  was  incompatible,  not  to  be  thought  of,  the  proud 
beast  felt  and  distinctly  showed  by  his  actions. 

"What  folly  to  imagine  a  scrub  like  that  could  keep 
pace  with  me  !  "  was  the  sentiment  of  the  full-blooded 
Arab.  "Have  I  not  the  blood  of  the  Prophet's  match 
less  steed  in  my  veins,  —  blood  that  has  coursed  through 
the  purest  and  finest  stallions  and  mares  of  the  desert, 
without  a  muddy  drop  in  it?  Am  I  not  named  Al 
Borak  ?  Do  I  not  know  my  right  to  do  great  things  ? 
Do  I  not  know  what  is  expected  of  me?  " 

A  horse  does  not  speak  in  words  intelligible  to  us : 
yet  he  can  convey  what  he  thinks  and  feels  in  a  won 
derful  way  if  we  only  give  him  our  attention,  and 
especially  if  we  are  in  sympathy  with  him.  And  this 
horse  of  horses,  he  was  as  a  prince  among  men.  He 
seemed  to  spring  out  of  his  skin  at  a  touch,  at  a  word, 
so  great  was  his  sensitiveness. 

"My  master  is  sad,"  he  ruminated.  "We  have  a 
heavy  task  laid  upon  us.  But  I  shall  carry  him  through. 
He  is  troubled.  He  blames  himself,  and  says  he  has 
done  wrong.  But  it  was  not  much  that  he  did.  He  is 
not  bad.  He  only  wanted  to  have  a  good  time ;  and 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  537 

the  woman  lured  him  on.  Do  I  not  know  how  the 
mares  entice  one  ?  He  spurred  me  just  now  with  his 
heel.  I  did  not  take  it  to  heart;  he  did  it  without 
thinking.  He  knows  I  do  not  need  it.  He  loves  me, 
and  is  kind  to  me.  I  only  had  to  look  back  at  him. 
It  was  enough.  He  is  not  proud.  He  condescends  to 
inquire  about  the  way  from  that  conceited  Syrian, 
Selim,  and  from  that  scarecrow  Crosslett.  Neither 
of  them  have  ever  been  in  the  desert,  where  I  have 
been,  —  where  I  was  born.  Ah,  it  is  there  you  must 
know  the  way,  where  there  is  not  a  landmark  to  guide 
you;  nothing  but  sand  and  sky!  He  need  not  ask  the 
way.  Do  I  not  know  where  he  is  going?  Could  I  not 
take  him  there?  Has  he  not  already  been  therewith 
me? " 

It  was  true  that  Leone,  immediately  after  his  return 
to  Jerusalem,  in  thorough  grief,  and  in  repentance  for 
his  escapade  with  the  damsel  from  across  the  sea,  had 
searched  out  and  visited  the  Black  Valley,  —  that  deep 
and  ugly  scar  upon  the  face  of  the  land.  He  had 
hoped  to  find  the  grave  of  Amne  and  his  child;  but  in 
this  he  was  not  successful. 

Once  outside  the  city  walls,  and  upon  the  road, 
Leone  gave  free  rein  to  Al  Borak.  How  he  shot 
ahead,  like  a  stone  from  a  catapult !  Crosslett  and 
Selim  began  to  fall  behind  farther  than  they  wished. 

"That  horse  has  Shaitan  in  him,"  said  the  latter. 
"Was  there  ever  anything  like  it?" 

But  Al  Borak,  who  had  not  half  let  himself  out, 
seemed  to  say,  "  Let  me  teach  those  plebeian  garrans 
what  blood  can  do,  and  show  them  my  heels." 

Yet  these  "garrans"  did  not  behave  so  badly,  at 
first.  But  they  did  not  have  the  staying  qualities  of 
Al  Borak,  and  when  they  left  the  road  and  came  out 
into  the  rough  country,  they  fell  more  and  more  behind. 

The  horse  which  Selim  rode  stumbled  while  going  at 
full  dash,  and,  failing  to  recover  himself,  came  down 
with  much  force.  Selim  luckily  escaped  with  a  few 
bruises.  But  the  horse  had  sprained  a  muscle  in  his  left 
foreleg,  and  went  so  lame  he  was  obliged  to  drop  out. 

Leone  felt  too  seriously  the  importance  of  keeping 


538  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

on  his  course  with  unabated  speed,  no  matter  who 
dropped  out,  that  he  scarcely  looked  behind,  or  drew 
rein  for  a  moment. 

He  was  an  accomplished  horseman,  having  been 
taught  riding  at  the  military  school  in  Naples,  and 
afterwards  having  served  in  the  cavalry  of  the  Italian 
army.  Like  most  Italians,  everything  he  did  was 
done  well  and  with  grace. 

But  now  he  was  riding  under  a  terrible  pressure  of 
responsibility.  He  came  as  one  inspired. 

His  knees  clutched  passionately  the  saddle  and 
caressed  the  sides  of  the  noble  animal  that  carried  him 
so  superbly,  —  plunging  forward  with  such  proud  spirit, 
and  determined  will,  and  glad  desire,  as  though  entirely 
a  part  of  him,  almost  as  much  an  outcome  of  his  per 
sonality  as  if  he  had  been  generated  of  him. 

The  horse  did  wonders.  Yet  Leone  was  not  satis 
fied.  Had  he  had  his  wish,  he  would  have  flown 
through  the  air  on  his  imperative  errand.  For  con 
science  was  the  spur,  — the  hope  of  reparation,  in  some 
degree,  where  there  could  be  no  absolute  reparation  — 
no  retrieval  —  no  atonement,  — the  unutterably  longed 
for. 

Forward  he  dashed  on  Al  Borak,  — The  Lightning; 
over  hill,  through  valley;  trampling  brush  and  plant 
and  creeping  thing;  striking  fire  from  the  spurned 
rocks,  —  sparks  of  electric  scath  and  wrath  from  the 
flinty  ground  that  throbbed  and  palpitated  under  his 
tread,  —  a  man  precipitating  himself  into  the  future, 

—  annihilating  time  and  space,  so  far  as  he  could  do 
so,  — flinging  himself  into  his  purpose  without  thought 
of  self,  or  fear  of  personal  danger. 

"  Ah !  Great  God  of  Heaven  and  Earth !  can  I  get 
there  in  time?  Permit  me  to  save  them!  Accept  it 
as  reparation ! " 

This  was  the  cry  that  burst  from  his  agonised  heart; 
but  on  his  feverish  lips  it  sounded  only  as  an  inarticu 
late  moan,  — the  desperate  demand  of  him  who  seeks 
with  tears  a  place  for  repentance. 

"  How  easy  to  do  wrong !  "  he  said.      "  How  difficult, 

—  impossible  to  repair  that  wrong !  " 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


539 


Onward,  onward.  Could  he  ever  go  fast  enough? 
Could  he  get  there  in  time  to  save  them?  Might  he 
not  be  too  late?  Ah,  that  was  the  terrible  thought! 
He  must  not  think  of  it.  There  must  be  no  such  word 
as  "fail." 

As  he  swung  forward,  he  felt  as  if  he  were  dashing 
through  infinite  space.  Would  there  never  be  an  end? 
Would  he  never  reach  the  point  ? 

Then,  again,  he  imagined  he  was  rushing  to  aid 
Amne  and  their  little  son,  while  something  told  him 
it  was  hopeless  work.  And  ever  in  his  brain,  keeping 
time  to  the  tramp  of  the  horse's  feet,  rang  over  and  over 
again,  spurring  him,  maddening  him,  the  words  of  the 
defiant  love-song,  slightly  changed  for  the  occasion  :  — 

"  From  the  desert  I  come  to  thee, 
On  a  stallion  shod  with  fire, 
And  the  winds  are  left  behind 
In  the  speed  of  my  desire. 
Through  the  desolate  waste  I  charge, 

And  the  midnight  hears  my  cry ; 
I  love  but  thee,  I  love  but  thee, 
With  a  love  that  shall  not  die 
Till  the  sun  grows  cold, 
And  the  stars  are  old, 
And  the  leaves  of  the  Judgment 
Book  unfold." 

But  the  horse,  Al  Borak,  he  was  transformed. 

He  was  like  an  avenging  spirit,  —  one  on  whom  the 
command  of  Allah  is  laid  to  execute  it,  and  who  could 
not  choose  'twixt  life  or  death,  or  aught  else,  but  must 
do,  in  any  case,  even  to  the  obliteration  of  death,  — 
must  do,  at  all  odds,  in  the  face  of  all  cost  and  conse 
quence,  —  in  despite  of  Death  himself. 

When  his  master  cried,  "  Al  Borak,"  the  horse  knew 
what  was  expected  of  him.  He  must  be  Al  Borak,  — • 
the  Lightning,  —  the  fire  of  God  to  cleave  cloud  and 
space,  — to  flash,  to  rend,  to  burn,  — to  divide  the  very 
heavens  with  thunderous  roar. 

"  Hah !  I  am  it,  —  the  purpose  itself,  —  the  embodied 
vengeance  of  Allah !  What  is  the  ground  to  me  ?  I 
spurn  it !  Am  I  not  winged  with  the  word  that  may 


54-O  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

not  be  spoken,  — the  unutterable  command  that  I  know 
not  but  as  I  execute  it,  —  the  decree  that  is  too  awful 
to  know? " 

Oh,  he  was  wild  with  the  exalted  joy  of  it,  the  majesty 
of  it! 

On,  on;  he  tore  through  everything.  Nothing  could 
resist  such  determination.  The  rocks  and  the  trees 
flew  by,  and  were  lost  behind,  — were  passed  in  a  flash, 
—  then,  at  once,  were  in  the  distance. 

He  snuffed  out  and  smelt  from  afar,  as  if  by  super 
human  instinct,  the  place  he  was  destined  for. 

"Allah!  —  Allah  is  everywhere  —  is  everything!  I 
am  his  demiurgos  !  " 

Yes,  as  they  advanced,  man  and  horse,  one  power, 
the  gorge  opened  before  them,  —  the  Black  Valley. 
They  were  received  within  its  direful  depths  of  myste 
rious  shadow.  Was  it  not  the  Valley  of  the  Shadow  of 
Death  ? 

Swiftly  they  came  upon  that  hateful  group,  —  the 
men  of  blood  doggedly  carrying  out  their  evil  will. 

But  what  was  their  will  before  the  will  of  Allah  ? 

Al  Borak  was  upon  them  in  an  instant,  as  if  he  had 
suddenly  descended  out  of  the  seventh  heaven  among 
them. 

There  sat  Hilwe,  in  the  midst,  — 'the  grave  yawning 
for  her  at  her  feet. 

She  wore  the  plain  dark-blue  garment  of  the  country, 
and  over  it  the  striped  red  and  black  outer  robe  of 
camel's  hair;  all  hand-made,  woven  by  herself;  while 
from  her  head  floated  the  white  drapery,  like  a  veil, 
simple  and  graceful,  reaching  below  her  waist.  The 
colours  were  those  properly  ascribed  to  and  associated 
with  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  for  ages  worn  by  the 
peasant-women  of  Palestine. 

There  she  sat,  her  man-child  in  her  arms,  the  maj 
esty  of  resignation  upon  her,  a  personification  of  the 
Madonna,  —  the  Divine  type  of  Motherhood  for  all 
generations,  which  should  call  her  blessed.  The 
young  peasant-woman  of  Judaea,  scarcely  old  enough 
to  bear  the  responsibilities  of  motherhood,  or  be  a 
mother,  with  her  great  dark  eyes,  black  hair,  and 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  541 

brown  complexion,  richly  tinted  with  all  the  glorious 
colouring  with  which  the  sun  delights  to  paint,  when 
he  kisses  the  cheeks  of  those  who  love  him,  —  poor 
Hilwe,  with  her  first-born,  her  gentle  son,  knew  not 
how  like  she  was  to  that  other  Mother  of  Judaea,  who, 
nearly  two  thousand  years  ago,  found  little  rever 
ence,  or  pity,  or  refuge  in  an  unloving  world  which 
maligned  her. 

To  Leone,  from  the  land  of  Raphael,  Angelo,  and 
Del  Sarto,  it  was  a  sight  that  needed  no  interpreter. 
There  was  the  Madonna.  He  saw  her  as  if  in  holy 
vision.  The  very  drapery,  —  the  blue,  the  red,  the 
white,  — all  was  as  he  had  seen  it  pictured  hundreds  of 
times.  Oh,  that  look  of  indescribable  purity  in  her 
face  upturned  to  heaven  for  vindication  and  the  pity 
that  man  denied ! 

"Will  not  the  sanctity  of  motherhood  protect  thee 
from  the  ruthless  creatures  thirsting  for  thy  blood?" 

No.  They  are  as  the  rocks  that  surround  them  for 
obduracy.  Their  fanaticism  stifles  every  natural  feel 
ing.  They  are  implacable,  lost  to  every  gentle  emo 
tion.  There  is  nothing  to  hope  for  from  them,  —  no 
relenting.  All  is  hard,  unmitigated  bigotry. 

But  when  they  saw  the  horse,  when  he  broke  through 
them  like  a  demon  of  destruction, — ah!  that  was 
another  thing. 

No  wonder  that  the  horse  seemed  to  them  of  supernal 
mould, — the  action  of  him  —  the  nostrils  breathing 
smoke  —  eyes  that  flashed  fire  —  the  ground  breaking 
into  sparks  beneath  his  feet ! 

They  heard  Leone  call  him  by  his  name  —  Al  Borak 
—  as  he  urged  him  on. 

"Al  Borak!  It  is  even  the  horse  of  the  Prophet!" 
they  exclaimed,  and,  amazed,  terrified  for  the  nonce, 
fell  back  before  him. 

"Hah,  Al  Borak,  do  thy  duty!" 

The  cry  came  out  of  the  depths  of  Leone's  soul;  as 
a  man  shouts  in  the  battle  when  he  is  sore  pressed,  and 
knows  not  but  to  smite,  to  wound,  to  destroy;  who  is 
there  to  slay,  and  delays  not  to  think,  and  pauses  not 
to  consider. 


542  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

He  yelled  without  words.  It  was  the  outburst  of  a 
maniac.  He  was  wild  with  enthusiasm.  His  face  had 
lost  all  definite  expression,  and  his  words  articulation. 
His  features  were  distorted,  —  frightful  to  look  upon. 
All  was  frenzy. 

He  was  in  the  midst  of  them.  The  evil  ones  had 
regained  their  courage.  They  closed  upon  him.  They 
caught  his  bridle  to  prevent  him  in  his  purpose  and 
overwhelm  him.  They  made  deadly  thrusts  at  him, 
and  tried  to  drag  him  from  the  horse. 

The  moment  had  come.  Leone  leaned  forward  and 
spoke  softly  in  the  horse's  ear  the  mystic  words  which 
the  Bedawe  had  taught  Hassan,  and  which  he  in  turn 
had  conveyed  to  Leone.  They  were  the  words  which 
had  governed  all  the  horse's  tribe  for  generations. 

Then  the  power  and  the  vengeance  of  Al  Borak 
broke  loose.  His  mouth  opened  upon  the  evil  ones. 
The  screech  he  emitted  was  unlike  the  neigh  of  a 
horse;  it  was  blood-curdling.  It  might  be  supposed  to 
resemble  the  defiant  scream  of  the  night  warlock.  The 
wild  breeze  of  the  desert  again  blew  over  him,  and 
fired  his  blood.  He  seized  the  first  of  the  men  by 
the  neck,  and  shook  him  as  though  he  had  been  a  rat, 
throwing  him  aside,  and  crippling  him  for  life.  The 
others  who  stood  in  the  way  he  pranced  upon,  and 
struck  down  with  his  fore-feet,  in  inconceivable  fury. 
It  was  frightful.  It  was  like  the  vengeance  of  God. 
The  madness  of  one  of  the  fabled  centaurs  was  in  him, 
and  compelled  him.  He  was  possessed  of  the  ancient 
sources  of  strength  that  are  hidden  in  the  immovable 
hills  and  stubborn  rocks,  and  that  have  woven  the 
knotted  sinews  within  the  timbers  of  the  toughened 
oak,  — the  irresistible  sacred  force  of  Nature  which  she 
gives  to  the  wild  unspoiled  creatures  that  love  her  and 
hold  by  her. 

He  now  was  close  to  Hilwe.  With  a  low  whinny  of 
affectionate  recognition  he  bowed  his  head  before  her; 
he  rubbed  his  smooth  nose  against  her  cheek. 

She  knew  him,  yet  she  could  not  understand.  It  all 
was  like  a  vision  to  her. 

"I  have  come  to  deliver  you!"  cried  Leone.    "Quick! 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  543 

If  you  would  save  your  own  life  and  your  child's  life, 
delay  not.  For  the  love  of  God,  hasten  !  " 

He  held  out  his  hand  to  her.  He  caught  hold  of 
her,  drawing  her  to  him.  The  horse,  at  a  word,  bent 
low  to  receive  her,  as  he  had  been  taught.  She  placed 
her  foot  on  Leone's  foot,  and  with  little  effort  the 
young  man  swung  her  up  upon  the  horse,  behind  him. 

Then,  like  a  flash  of  the  livid  leven  for  which  he  had 
been  named,  that  noble  creature  shot  forward  through 
that  dusky  crowd,  plunging  upon  them,  throwing  them 
down,  trampling  them  under  foot. 

Filled  with  dread,  they  gave  way.  In  an  instant  he 
had  flashed  through  them,  and  was  gone. 

Hilwe,  clasping  her  child  to  her,  clung  to  Leone. 
As  he  felt  her  arm  around  his  waist,  it  gave  him  fresh 
courage. 

"  Forward,  Al  Borak !     Brave,  brave  one ! " 

But  those  determined  fellaheen  were  full  of  resources, 
and  were  not  to  be  baffled  of  their  prey,  or  circumvented 
without  a  further  struggle. 

One  rushed  to  where  he  had  left  his  rifle. 

"What  are  you  about?  Will  you  let  them  go,  nor 
put  forth  a  hand  to  stay  them  ?  "  he  cried. 

A  ball  whizzed  close  to  Leone.  Missing  him,  as  he 
thought,  it  grazed  Al  Borak' s  glossy  shoulder,  and  left 
a  streak  of  blood  on  the  white  velvet  of  his  skin. 

But  there  was  no  pause.  If  possible,  the  horse 
went  all  the  swifter,  —  more  furiously  tore  ahead, 
leaving  the  accursed  Black  Valley  behind. 

"Grip  fast!"  Leone  cried  to  Hilwe,  not  knowing 
that,  in  thus  encouraging  her,  he  spoke  the  words  that 
in  great  emergency  the  gallant  Leslie  had  used  to  the 
Queen  of  Scotland. 

On  they  fled,  till  Al  Borak's  steaming  flanks 
admonished  Leone  to  draw  rein,  which  he  did,  in 
mercy  to  the  faithful  horse,  who  would  have  dropped 
dead  before  halting  without  the  command. 

They  were  saved. 

They  were  well  beyond  pursuit  of  their  enemies, 
even  if  those  enemies  had  the  least  prospect  of  success 
in  pursuing  them. 


544  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Hilwe  clasped  her  child  to  her  and  kissed  him. 
Snatched  out  of  the  very  jaws  of  death,  under  the 
revulsion  of  her  feelings,  she  could  not  speak, — no, 
not  even  to  thank  Leone.  Doubtless,  too,  she  felt  that 
thanks  were  paltry  rendering  for  such  service  as  he  had 
bestowed. 

Crosslett  was  not  without  having  taken  part  in  the 
action;  but  it  was  in  such  a  subordinate  rdle  he  felt 
rather  humiliated  and  ashamed  of  it. 

At  the  critical  moment,  when  Leone  had  lifted 
Hilwe  and  her  son  behind  him,  and  Al  Borak  was 
trampling  down  and  flinging  to  the  right  and  left  those 
men  of  sin  who  were  attacking  them,  Crosslett  appeared 
upon  the  scene.  He  came  with  the  old  Hebrew  war- 
cry:  "The  sword  of  the  Lord  and  of  Gideon!"  The 
wind,  aided  by  the  velocity  with  which  he  rode,  had 
stripped  from  him,  and  lifted  high  above  his  shoulders 
and  his  head,  the  light  and  scanty  piece  of  drapery 
which  was  his  only  garment.  Remaining  fastened  at 
his  neck,  it  waved  and  flapped  over  him  like  wings, 
giving  him,  mounted  as  he  was,  an  extraordinary 
appearance,  and  perhaps  an  additional  likeness  to  one 
of  the  classic  heroes,  mediaeval  champions,  or  ancient 
saints,  —  or  all  of  them  rolled  into  one. 

Filled  with  the  divine  afflatus  and  heavenly  ecstasy, 
like  the  St.  George  they  had  nicknamed  him,  or  an 
avenging  St.  Michael,  he  was  utterly  unconscious  of 
the  figure  he  presented,  or  of  anything  strange  or 
improper  in  his  person. 

"  Fly,  Crosslett,  fly,  or  they  will  take  you !  "  was  all 
that  Leone,  as  he  carried  off  Hilwe,  had  time  or 
thought  to  call  to  him. 

Crosslett' s  sudden  arrival  and  supernatural  aspect 
had,  doubtless,  in  some  degree,  contributed  to  the 
result,  and  intensified  the  superstitious  fears  of  the 
men  of  Malha,  diverting  their  attention.  His  appall 
ing  shout  gave  the  impression  that  other  help  was 
coming,  and  that  it  was  near  at  hand.  When  the 
sharp  report  of  the  rifle  rang  out,  speeding  the  ball  that 
left  a  red  furrow  in  the  beautiful  skin  of  Al  Borak, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  545 

Crosslett  drew  from  the  holster  a  revolver  that  Selim 
had  placed  there,  and  fired  off  in  rapid  succession  every 
cartridge  it  contained,  shouting :  "  Let  God  arise,  and 
let  his  enemies  be  scattered ! " 

In  the  confined  gorge  it  sounded  like  a  volley  of 
musketry,  and  the  effect  was  salutary  on  the  wild  men. 

"I  fire  it  to  scare,  not  to  wound,"  said  Crosslett, 
whose  principles  were  opposed  to  the  use  of  a  deadly 
weapon. 

Selim  had  forced  the  revolver  upon  him ;  while 
Crosslett  reminded  him  that  the  count  had  insisted 
that,  under  the  circumstances,  there  must  be  no  blood 
shed  unless  compelled  by  the  most  extreme  provocation. 

"Then  fire  it  to  frighten,  not  to  kill,"  said  Selim, 
thrusting  the  weapon  in  the  holster. 

And  this  was  the  sentiment  with  which  "  St.  George  " 
excused  himself. 

"  Let  God  arise,  and  let  his  enemies  be  scattered ! " 
was  his  parting  shout. 

Then  the  brave  unselfish  thought  entered  his  mind 
to  mislead  the  fellaheen  by  not  following  the  count,  but 
returning  another  way.  He  succeeded  in  confusing 
them  sufficiently  to  draw  them  into  pursuing  him,  and 
was  shot  at  by  them,  two  or  three  times.  But  this  he 
was  too  modest  to  mention. 


CHAPTER  LII 

SPEEDING  through  the  numerous  passes  and  glens 
which  lie  beyond  the  Black  Valley,  sights  not 
unfamiliar  to  Hilwe,  though  obscured  by  the  wild  rush 
of  their  flight,  flashed  occasionally  upon  her  bewildered 
gaze.  She  scarcely  noticed  them.  Her  mind  was  dulled 
from  the  shock  she  had  received.  But  now,  when  Leone 
halted,  she  recognised  the  place —  she  knew  it  well.  It 
was  near  a  part  of  the  Wady-el-Werd. 

They  were   in   one   of  those  ancient  and   neglected 
roadways,  so  common  in  Palestine,  almost  obliterated  in 

35 


546  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

places  by  the  winter  rains,  and  by  masses  of  rock  which 
had  rolled  down  into  its  rough  bed,  and  sometimes 
blocked  the  way. 

Near  by  was  an  old  and  originally  finely-ornamented 
fountain.  The  water,  at  this  time  in  considerably 
reduced  volume,  gushed  out  of  the  side  of  the  terrace- 
like  plateau,  high  above  the  valley,  and  close  to  the 
roadway,  escaping  through  the  shattered  pillars  and 
curiously  carved  stonework  of  the  fountain,  which  was 
overhung  and  shadowed  by  fig-trees  and  other  trees, 
adding  to  the  picturesqueness  of  the  place. 

In  front,  standing  on  end,  upright,  two  great  circular 
stones,  the  remains  of  an  archaic  oil-press,  were  partly 
sunk  in  the  ground,  surrounded  with  rubbish,  and  some 
what  overgrown  with  vegetation.  A  rude  stone  trough 
for  the  oil  lay  beside  the  oil-press.  They  appear  not  to 
have  been  used  for  generations,  and  probably  belong  to 
a  time  when  the  neighbouring  hills,  still  terraced  to  their 
summits,  were  covered  with  vines  and  olives. 

Hilwe  gave  an  exclamation  of  recognition : 

"  Ah,  it  is  Ain  Haniyeh  !  " 

It  was  the  Fountain  of  St.  Philip  —  the  place  where 
he  had  baptised  the  eunuch,  the  Treasurer  of  Candace, 
Queen  of  the  Ethiopians. 

The  water  still  flows  on,  though  the  surroundings, 
doubtless,  are  changed  since  that  day  of  grace,  so  many 
hundred  years  ago,  when  Philip  rode  with  the  eagerly 
inquiring  eunuch  in  his  chariot,  reading  and  explaining 
Esaias  the  prophet,  as  told  so  well  in  the  fascinating  old 
narrative : 

"  And  as  they  went  on  their  way,  they  came  unto  a 
certain  water:  and  the  eunuch  said,  '  See,  here  is  water; 
what  doth  hinder  me  to  be  baptised?' 

"  And  Philip  said,  '  If  thou  believest  with  all  thine 
heart,  thou  mayest.' " 

How  many  a  summer  and  winter  have  passed  between 
that  day  and  this !  Nations  have  arisen  and  fallen ; 
continents  have  been  discovered  and  brought  into  the 
marvellous  light  out  of  the  misty  unknown  in  which  so 
long  they  had  slumbered,  —  though  always  known  to 
God ;  sixty  generations  of  men  have  come  and  gone, 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  547 

and  turned  to  dust,  since  then ;  —  and  still  with  silvery 
voice  the  water  calleth  out  of  the  rocky  hillside  to  the 
glen,  pouring  out  and  spilling  itself  in  a  sacred  libation 
—  a  baptismal  fountain  of  cleansing  and  of  cheer. 

Hilwe,  seeing  the  water,  prepared  to  alight,  —  Leone, 
who  had  already  dismounted,  assisting  her. 

Gladly  did  they  drink  of  the  refreshing  stream,  that 
sang  for  them  a  song  of  thanksgiving  while  they  and  Al 
Borak  satisfied  their  thirst  from  it. 

Leone  carefully  bathed  Al  Borak's  wound,  washing 
the  blood-stains  from  him.  That  crimson  streak  the  ball 
had  left  was  scarcely  skin  deep. 

For  the  first  time,  Leone  perceived  the  shot  had  come 
closer  to  himself  than  he  had  suspected.  It  had  slit  his 
trousers  across  the  thigh,  leaving  a  welt  upon  the  flesh, 
but  barely  drawing  the  blood.  He  now  remembered  he 
had  felt  at  the  time  a  stinging  sensation  there,  as  though 
he  had  received  the  lash  of  a  whip. 

He  took  care  to  conceal  it  from  Hilwe. 

"  It  was  closer  work  than  I  thought  for  both  of  us,  Al 
Borak,"  he  said,  addressing  the  horse.  "  Brave,  noble 
Al  Borak,  we  owe  our  lives  and  everything  to  you. 
You  deserve  all  the  praise." 

They  had  rested  but  a  little  while  in  the  shadow  of 
the  trees  and  fountain,  when  Leone,  turning  to  Hilwe, 
suggested  that  it  might  be  well  to  proceed  on  their 
journey. 

"  You  and  your  little  Talmai  can  rest  more  safely  in 
Jerusalem,"  he  said,  "  where  you  can  be  protected." 

Then  Hilwe  arose  and  bowed  herself  before  him. 

"  Thou  hast  saved  my  life,  and  the  life  of  my  child," 
she  said,  "  and  what  can  such  an  one  as  I  am  render 
unto  my  lord  for  all  the  benefits  he  has  done  unto  me? 
Nothing  that  I  could  say  or  do  would  avail  to  show  my 
gratitude.  Yet  now,  if  I  have  found  grace  in  thy  sight, 
suffer  me  to  depart.  Hinder  me  not,  I  beseech  thee. 
Let  me  go  upon  my  way,  and  do  thou  return  unto  Jeru 
salem  ;  and  the  blessing  of  heaven  be  upon  thee.  Who 
am  I  that  I  should  trouble  thee,  or  bring  reproach  upon 
thy  name  ?  " 

"  Hilwe,  I  perceive  you  distrust  me." 


548  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Nay ;  that  be  far  from  me  to  impute  evil  to  thee. 
Hast  thou  not  risked  thy  life  to  deliver  us?  Yet  suffer 
it  to  be  as  I  have  said  unto  thee." 

A  pained  expression  shadowed  Leone's  face. 

"  It  is  because  of  Amne,"  he  said.  "  You  have  no 
confidence  in  me  because  of  her.  And  yet  I  meant  no 
evil  to  Amne.  I  loved  her.  I  would  have  given  my  life 
to  save  her  and  the  little  child  —  my  beautiful  child.  I 
have  been  unfortunate." 

Hilwe  but  imperfectly  understood  the  words ;  yet  she 
knew  by  intuition  the  meaning. 

"  Poor  Amne,"  she  said.  "  They  did  unto  her  as  they 
would  have  done  to  me ;  and  there  was  none  to  plead 
her  cause  —  there  was  none  to  deliver  her." 

"  Hilwe,  you  know  not  what  you  are  exposing  your 
self  to.  It  is  far  better  that  I  should  take  you  to  Jeru 
salem.  I  swear  to  you  I  shall  take  you  whithersoever 
you  wish  —  to  any  of  the  convents  of  religious  women, 
or  to  the  house  of  the  good  Deaconesses  of  the  English 
Church,  or  to  any  Moslem  family  you  prefer." 

Partly  by  signs,  partly  by  words,  he  tried  to  convey 
his  meaning. 

"  Nay,  nay." 

Hilwe  shook  her  head. 

"  But  you  have  no  food.  I  have  no  money  with  me, 
or  I  would  gladly  give  you.  I  left  in  such  haste  I  did 
not  bring  my  purse.  What  will  become  of  you?  " 

"  Fear  not  for  me,"  she  replied.  "  I  know  the  country. 
Those  who  would  harm  me  will  look  for  me  in  Jerusalem  ; 
and  I  shall  make  my  escape  to  a  place  of  safety,  where 
they  will  not  think  of  searching  for  me.  Go  thy  way ; 
peace  be  with  thee ;  and  the  blessing  of  the  helpless, 
whom  thou  didst  succour,  be  upon  thee." 

Leone  would  have  further  remonstrated  with  her ; 
but,  repeating  her  thanks,  she  bade  him  good-bye,  and  at 
once  departed  with  her  little  one. 

It  was  done  so  suddenly,  he  scarcely  understood  what 
had  occurred  till  too  late  to  prevent  it.  While  he  was 
occupied,  a  few  minutes,  with  Al  Borak,  she  watched 
her  opportunity,  and  when  he  turned  to  look  after  her, 
she  had  disappeared. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  549 

Recovering  himself,  he  followed  her,  intending  to  help 
her  on  her  way,  if  not  see  her  to  some  place  of  safety. 

"  I  did  wrong  to  let  her  go/'  he  said  reproachfully. 
"  She  will  get  into  trouble.  Yet  how  can  I  blame  her 
for  leaving?  " 

Leading  Al  Borak  between  the  huge  masses  of  rock 
which  cumbered  the  difficult  roadway,  he  searched  for 
Hilwe  on  every  side,  but  could  see  nothing  of  her. 
She  had  cleverly  evaded  him.  As  though  she  had  been 
a  partridge,  or  quail,  or  other  wild  bird,  she  had  run 
under  bushes  and  boulders,  and  hidden  from  him  so 
completely,  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  find  her,  or 
know  what  direction  she  had  taken. 

At  last,  bitterly  censuring  himself  for  letting  her  go 
alone,  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  the  search,  and  returned 
by  way  of  the  fountain. 

He  determined  that  as  soon  as  he  reached  Jerusalem 
he  would  lay  the  entire  matter  before  the  authorities, 
and  demand  that  the  most  severe  measures  should  be 
adopted  for  the  punishment  of  the  wicked  Malhaites. 

He  hardly  dared  let  himself  think  of  the  cruel  end  of 
Amne  and  his  child.  When  he  thought  of  it  all  and 
his  transgressions,  an  inexpressible  pang  passed  through 
him,  forcing  a  long  deep  groan  from  his  lips,  as  though 
it  would  shatter  his  very  body  and  soul. 

The  passionate  regret  for  that  which  is  irreparable, 
for  the  opportunity  that  comes  not  again,  the  joy  that 
can  never  return,  — -  who  can  measure  its  bitterness  and 
pain  ?  The  heart  grows  weak  before  it.  It  seems  like 
the  forerunner  of  death  and  eternal  retribution. 

Yet  to  have  saved  Hilwe  and  the  little  Talmai  was  per 
haps  some  slight  atonement. 

It  was  with  a  sad  remorseful  spirit  he  drew  the  bridle 
over  his  arm  and  led  the  horse  through  the  more  narrow 
passages.  But  where  there  was  more  room,  he  walked 
beside  Al  Borak;  and  once  more,  before  mounting,  he 
threw  his  arm  around  the  horse's  neck  and  spoke  cheer 
ing  and  fond  words  to  him,  while  the  sagacious  animal, 
understanding,  returned  the  caresses,  rubbing  his  nose 
softly  against  Leone's  arm,  with  a  gentle  whinny,  as  if 
trying  to  speak. 


550  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"Brave  Al  Borak!  How  can  I  do  enough  for  you? 
How  noble  and  kind  and  wise  you  are !  And  yet  they 
say  you  have  no  soul." 

Leone  threw  himself  into  the  saddle,  and  the  horse 
soon  brought  him  to  a  by-path  which  crossed  the  ridge 
into  the  highway  leading  to  the  city.  It  was  the  road 
between  Hebron,  Bethlehem,  and  Jerusalem.  There  the 
powerful  stallion,  in  the  exuberance  of  his  strength  and 
joy,  stretched  his  perfect  limbs  over  the  smooth  track 
with  such  freshness,  ease,  and  fleetness,  it  was  difficult 
to  believe  he  had  gone  through  the  severe  work  he  that 
day  had  accomplished.  It  was  as  if  he  wanted  to  show 
what  was  in  him,  and  that  he  was  far  from  having  ex 
hausted  his  resources. 


CHAPTER   LIII 

THE  sun  had  just  set,  and  the  moon,  now  at  the 
full,  had  not  yet  risen  high  enough  to  be  visible 
above  the  rocky  crests  of  the  hills  forming  the  heights 
of  Bettir,  and  which,  in  their  singularly  fine  shapes,  aided 
by  the  solemn  hour,  assumed  in  places  an  aspect  almost 
of  grandeur  as  well  as  of  beauty. 

The  road  winds  beneath  the  cliffs,  which  shut  out  all 
view  of  the  village  from  this  direction.  It  was  here 
Hilwe  found  herself  at  the  close  of  the  day  which  had 
been  so  eventful  to  her.  Weary  as  she  was,  she  did  not 
turn  aside  to  take  the  way  that  led  up  to  the  village,  but 
kept  right  on,  and  then  ascended  the  connected  tell  at 
the  extreme  end  of  the  valley,  whose  summit  rises  but 
slightly  above  the  rest  of  the  range,  yet  commands  a 
view  of  the  entire  surroundings,  including  that  distant 
sweep  of  the  Mediterranean,  now  a  streak  of  misty  blue, 
it  having  lost  its  crispy  freshness  and  sunny  sparkle  of 
the  morning. 

As  she  passed  beneath  the  aqueduct  that  high  above 
her  head  spanned  the  road,  she  found  a  tank  of  water, 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  551 

but  only  waited  long  enough  to  quench  her  own  and  her 
child's  thirst,  then  hurried  on. 

She  seemed  to  have  no  definite  plan,  only  to  avoid 
those  who  might  prove  inimical  to  her,  and  to  find  for 
the  present  a  quiet  place  to  rest  in.  Perhaps  she  in 
tended,  when  it  was  a  little  later  and  had  grown  dusk,  to 
come  down  and  beg  a  morsel  of  food  from  some  outlying 
house,  where  she  would  not  be  recognised.  But  her  mind 
did  not  seem  to  be  very  clear  on  the  subject. 

The  one  longing  remained,  —  that  she  might  get  as 
near  as  safety  permitted  to  Kadra,  that  she  might  have 
one  sympathetic  breast  into  which  she  could  pour  her 
sorrows. 

Near  that  point  which  rises  a  little  higher  than  the 
rest  of  the  range  is  a  grove  which  formerly  had  been 
more  extensive,  and  is  not  wanting  in  certain  distinctive 
marks  of  antiquity.  The  olive-trees  composing  it  are 
very  old,  many  of  them  being  so  hollow  the  trunks  are 
mere  shells,  the  centres  being  built  up  with  stone  masonry 
to  preserve  the  trees,  which,  notwithstanding  their  vener 
able  age,  are  still  flourishing  and  fruitful. 

Groups  of  the  trees,  containing  four  or  five  individuals, 
might  occasionally  be  seen  within  a  radius  of  from  five 
to  ten  or  more  feet.  This  indicates  the  position  and 
size  of  a  single  original  olive-tree  which,  from  great  age, 
having  decayed  at  the  centre,  had  left  certain  points  of 
vitality  in  its  outer  rim  that  had  each  grown  into  a  dis 
tinct  tree. 

Here,  into  this  peaceful  spot,  Hilwe  entered,  and  rested 
beneath  the  trees. 

The  point,  doubtless,  is  one  of  the  "  high  places " 
where  the  worship  of  the  ancient  gods,  Ba'al,  Ashtaroth, 
and  others,  had  been  carried  on  by  the  original  inhabit 
ants  of  the  land,  from  whom  the  Israelites  had  learned 
to  practise  the  idolatry  which  had  such  fascination  for 
them  it  drew  them  from  the  worship  of  Jehovah. 

The  moon  was  now  shining  resplendent,  and  from  this 
vantage-ground  was  seen  in  all  her  beauty.  The  ruddy 
gleams  of  the  sunset  were  fading  out  in  the  west,  and  the 
cold  silvery  moonlight  was  succeeding.  The  pale  light 
made  fantastic  shadows  under  the  ancient  trees,  and  one 


552  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

might  easily  imagine  the  effect  produced  by  such  a  scene 
upon  the  credulous  and  superstitious  people  who  came 
here  to  worship  in  the  days  of  Joshua  and  Ahab. 

It  was  impossible  that  Hihve  should  not  feel  intensely 
the  peculiar  influence  of  the  place.  The  deep  seclusion 
of  the  grove  and  the  sense  of  peace  and  of  repose  the 
moonlight  almost  always  brings  were  to  her  like  a  bene 
diction.  The  walking  of  God  in  the  Garden  of  Eden,  in 
the  cool  of  the  day,  has  a  sweet  significance  that  we 
all  must  acknowledge.  The  day's  labour  done,  poor 
man  has  this  respite  from  his  toil,  and  can  commune 
with  his  Creator.  It  was  something  of  this  she  felt.  It 
was  the  atmosphere  of  the  place. 

At  first  she  supposed  herself  entirely  alone  with  Talmai, 
and  felt  the  relief  that  the  sensation  brought  her.  But 
soon  she  became  aware  of  the  presence  of  a  stranger. 

Not  far  from  where  she  sat,  she  saw  the  figure  of  a 
man  move  across  the  shaft  of  moonlight  that  penetrated 
through  the  vista  formed  by  a  double  row  of  olive-trees. 
At  the  nearer  end  was  a  large  block  of  stone,  before 
which  the  man  stood.  He  had  poured  out  something 
upon  the  top  of  the  stone  after  having  prostrated  him 
self,  and  now  as  he  stood  with  outstretched  arms,  she 
heard  the  murmur  of  a  prayer  or  invocation.  She  saw 
not  the  man's  face.  It  was  turned  towards  the  moon. 
But  she  caught  sight  of  his  snow-white  beard,  and  knew 
he  was  not  a  young  man. 

The  scene  which  was  enacted  before  her  was  not  one 
to  cause  her  any  great  surprise.  The  custom  of  offering 
on  some  high  place  at  the  full  of  the  moon  a  sacrifice  in 
the  shape  of  oil  poured  out  on  an  altar-like  stone,  hol 
lowed  at  the  centre,  is  still  adhered  to  by  the  fellaheen 
of  Palestine.  It,  doubtless,  is  a  remnant  of  the  ancient 
worship  of  Ashtaroth,  which,  as  they  are  Mohammedans, 
and  detest  anything  like  idolatry,  is  the  more  remarkable. 
When  questioned  about  it,  they  simply  say  it  is  an  old 
custom,  and  was  done  by  their  forefathers  to  bring  favour 
able  crops  and  prosperity. 

The  sanctity  of  high  places  seems  to  have  been  a  set 
tled  belief  in  the  remote  ages.  The  early  books  of  the 
Bible  have  frequent  reference  to  high  places  as  places  of 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah 


553 


worship.  Groves  upon  lofty  summits  were  selected  for 
the  worship  of  Ba'al  and  other  gods  of  the  Canaanites. 
The  grove  and  the  mountain  meant  seclusion  and  se 
curity.  Even  Christ  himself  seems  to  have  sympathised 
with  this  feeling.  We  find  him  going  up  into  a  moun 
tain  and  continuing  all  night  in  prayer.  On  the  snowy 
dome  of  Hermon  he  was  transfigured  with  great  glory. 
It  was  from  a  mountain-top  he  delivered  his  divine  com 
mandments,  as  Moses  in  the  past  had  brought  down  the 
law  from  Mount  Sinai.  The  people  felt  it  was  getting 
nearer  to  heaven  and  the  God  of  heaven  when  they 
selected  the  hill  and  the  tell  as  places  of  worship. 

As  the  man  again  prostrated  himself,  and  then  retired, 
Hilwe  cautiously  advanced  to  the  altar.  It  was  a  huge 
single  block,  roughly  cubical  in  form,  of  unhewn  stone ; 
no  tool  of  man  had  worked  upon  it.  It  had  alone  been 
carved  by  the  hand  of  Nature.  Even  the  hollow  on  the 
top  had  been  made  by  the  frequent  dropping  of  the  rain. 

She  found  there  the  corn,  the  wine,  and  the  oil  which 
the  man  had  poured  out  as  an  offering.  Being  an  hun 
gered,  she  gladly  took  of  the  corn  or  parched  wheat,  a 
handful  or  so,  and  did  eat  of  it,  sharing  it  with  Talmai. 

But  the  man,  who  had  gone  but  a  little  way,  perceived 
her,  and  returned. 

"  Who  art  thou?  and  whence  comest  thou?  "  he  asked 
in  severe  tones. 

Then  Hilwe,  trembling,  cast  herself  upon  her  face 
before  him,  and  kissed  the  hem  of  his  garment. 

She  now  perceived  that  the  old  man  was  Abou  Chalil, 
the  sheik  of  Bettir. 

Seeing  she  answered  not,  he  again  questioned  her : 

"  Who  art  thou?  And  whose  is  the  child?  And  why 
didst  thou  take  of  the  offering  from  the  altar?  That  may 
not  be  done,  saving  thou  art  in  sore  distress." 

Then  did  Hilwe  answer  him,  in  a  lamentable  voice : 

"  Have  mercy  upon  me,  my  lord,  if  I  have  done  that 
which  I  ought  not  to  have  done.  I  and  my  little  one 
are  indeed  in  sore  distress  and  an  hungered.  I  am  of  the 
people  of  Malha.  Be  not  wroth  with  me  because  of  it. 
My  own  people  seek  my  life  this  day.  They  would  have 
destroyed  me  and  my  child  had  we  not  been  delivered 


554  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

out  of  their  hand.  As  to  my  name  —  I  am  called  Hilwe. 
Alas,  the  name  doth  mock  me,  for  my  life  hath  not  been 
sweet,  but  very  bitter.  And  the  lad  thou  seest  is  Talmai, 
the  son  of  a  man  of  Bettir  —  even  Hassan,  whom  they 
have  taken  into  the  army,  and  sent  into  a  far  country, 
across  the  sea.  And  now  he  is  reported  slain  in  battle. 
Woe  is  me.  Why  should  I  care  to  live  were  it  not  for 
the  lad?" 

She  lifted  up  her  voice  and  wept  as  one  who  mourns 
for  the  dead. 

The  sheik  was  greatly  troubled  at  her  words  and  her 
lamentation. 

"Arise,  my  daughter,"  he  said.  "Thou  hast  been 
kinder  than  I  have  been.  God  forgive  me,  and  do  thou 
forgive  me  for  speaking  so  harshly  to  one  whom  he  hath 
afflicted.  I  might  have  broken  thy  heart.  As  for  the 
rumour  thou  didst  hear,  pray  God  it  may  not  be  true. 
We  have  heard  no  such  tidings.  Would  we  not  have 
heard  them?  Is  not  my  son,  even  Chalil,  with  thy 
husband?" 

How  sweet  the  word  "  husband  "  sounded  in  Hilwe's 
ears,  though  now  it  was  chastened  by  her  sorrow.  It 
was  the  first  time  the  word  had  been  addressed  to  her, 
when  he  whom  it  named  was  gone,  and  her  heart  beat 
fast. 

"  I  am  as  one  who  hath  been  lost,"  she  said.  "  I  have 
been  wandering  these  many  days,  and  am  full  of  trouble. 
I  am  as  one  distraught,  seeking  rest  and  finding  none." 

"  Fear  not,  my  daughter.  Let  not  thy  heart  faint  within 
thee.  Here  shalt  thou  and  thy  son  find  rest.  Have  I 
not  vowed  a  vow  and  sworn  to  Hassan,  for  myself  and 
rhy  posterity,  to  keep  in  remembrance  my  covenant  with 
him  and  with  his  seed,  even  for  generations?  Though 
there  was  a  time  I  valued  him  not  at  his  true  worth. 
Allah  forgive  me.  Nor  shall  I  see  even  a  dog  belonging 
to  him  want  for  aught  that  I  and  mine  can  give  him. 
How  much  more,  therefore,  shall  I  be  good  unto  his 
son?" 

The  sheik  took  Talmai  in  his  arms  and  kissed  him. 

"  Blessed  be  thy  father's  son,"  he  said.  "  It  was  well 
to  name  him  Talmai.  It  is  a  name  honoured  among  us." 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  555 

"  It  was  Hassan's  wish,"  said  Hihve.  "  He  said  it  was 
his  father's  and  his  father's  father's  name." 

"  Thou  speakest  the  words  of  truth.  The  name  hath 
been  preserved  among  us  for  countless  generations." 

Giving  the  child  back  to  his  mother,  the  sheik  con 
tinued  : 

"  And  now,  my  daughter,  hearken  unto  my  voice,  that 
it  may  be  well  with  thee  and  with  thine.  The  night 
cometh  on.  Thou  shalt  abide  with  my  daughters  in  my 
own  house  this  night,  and  as  long  after  as  thou  inclinest 
thereto.  But  is  not  Hassan's  house,  which  was  his  father's 
before  him,  ready  to  thy  hand?  Why  shouldst  thou  not 
have  it?  It  shall  be  giv£n  to  his  son  and  to  thee  on  the 
morrow.  Also  I  shall  apportion  his  share  in  the  land  to 
thee  and  thine.  It  shall  be  for  thy  sustenance.  And 
fear  not  that  the  people  of  Bettir  will  lift  a  ringer  against 
thee  to  do  evil  to  thee,  because  of  the  Thar,  and  that  thou 
art  from  Malha.  They  will  protect  thee,  and  do  good 
to  thee  all  the  days  of  thy  life,  for  the  love  they  bear  to 
Hassan." 

Hihve  bowed  herself  before  the  sheik  and  did  obeisance. 

"  I  will  do  all  things  as  thou  sayest.  And  blessed  be 
thou,  and  praise  be  to  the  God  of  our  fathers,  who  hath 
lifted  me  up  when  I  was  cast  down,  and  this  day  brought 
me  help  and  strength  against  the  mighty." 

"  It  is  time  we  were  returning,"  said  the  sheik.  "  Thou 
and  the  lad  need  food  and  refreshment.  Follow  me,  and 
I  shall  lead  thee  by  a  short  and  easy  way  to  the  village. 
It  is  but  a  few  steps." 

When,  the  next  day,  it  was  noised  abroad  throughout 
Bettir  that  Hilwe  and  Talmai  the  son  of  Hassan  had 
come  to  reside  among  them,  and  that  the  sheik  had  given 
them  the  house  of  Hassan  to  live  in,  and  apportioned 
the  share  of  his  tillage  to  be  theirs,  nothing  could  exceed 
the  enthusiasm  and  delight  of  the  people.  The  example 
of  the  sheik  was  enough  to  stimulate  them.  They  vied 
with  one  another  in  showing  kindness  to  the  strangers. 

Hilwe  had  found  the  house  just  as  Hassan  and  Chalil 
had  left  it  when  they  were  taken  by  the  zaptiehs.  It  was 
more  than  sufficient  for  the  simple  wants  of  herself  and 
her  child.  She  took  a  great  though  melancholy  pleasure 


556  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

in  living  in  it  and  in  looking  at  and  touching  the  vari 
ous  things  that  it  contained  which  Hassan  had  owned 
and  handled. 

The  day  she  had  entered  it  there  was,  from  morning 
till  evening,  a  stream  of  the  women  of  Bettir,  coming  to 
congratulate  her,  and  each  bore  a  gift,  greater  or  smaller, 
according  as  she  could  afford.  So  that  soon  the  house 
was  stocked  with  provisions,  enough  to  last  for  many  a 
day. 

When  she  thanked  them  and  would  have  remonstrated, 
they  would  not  listen  to  her. 

"  It  is  as  nothing,"  they  insisted,  "  to  what  Hassan  hath 
done  for  us.  Did  he  not  even  Sell  his  horse,  descended 
of  the  Prophet's  horse,  to  save  us  from  the  oppressors? 
We  but  give  thee  back  a  tithe  of  what  he  gave  us." 

So  she  was  obliged  to  let  them  have  their  way. 

"  You  are  better  to  me  than  if  you  were  my  own 
people,"  she  told  them. 

"  Why  should  it  not  be  so  ?  "  they  replied.  "  Art  thou 
not  now  belonging  to  us?" 

Thus  Hilwe  abode  in  the  old  stone  house  with  Talmai, 
as  if  she  were  Hassan's  widow.  The  days  passed  unevent 
fully  and  peacefully.  And  though  more  than  one  of  the 
young  men  of  Bettir  looked  longingly  upon  her,  and 
would  gladly  have  taken  her  to  wife,  insisting  that  Hassan 
was  dead,  she  gave  them  no  encouragement. 

Then  they  spoke  to  the  sheik  about  it,  and  said : 

"  Surely  Hassan  cannot  be  alive  or  we  should  have  had 
a  message  from  him." 

But  the  old  man  shook  his  head  and  replied : 

"Nay,  nay.  You  believe  according  to  your  desire. 
Mere  wishing  doth  not  bring  the  harvest  to  the  thresh 
ing-floor.  We  will  hope  the  best  for  Hassan.  Evil 
tidings  travel  fast.  Are  there  not  ravens  enough  to 
carry  them  ?  Were  he  dead,  we  should  have  heard. 
Let  the  woman  alone  with  her  grief.  Trouble  her 
not." 

So  the  young  men  had  to  be  content,  and  went 
away  sorrowful. 

Hilwe  remained  faithful  to  the  memory  of  Hassan, 
and  treasured  in  her  heart  all  his  sayings.  As  often 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  557 

as  she  went  to  draw  water,  she  recalled  his  words  when 
praising  Bettir. 

"It  is  just  as  Hassan  told  me,"  she  would  repeat. 
"Did  he  not  say  to  me  when  first  I  knew  him :  '  There 
is  plenty  of  water  at  Bettir.  Thou  hast  not  to  go  far 
to  draw  it.'  Ah,  had  I  but  his  smile  to  cheer  me,  I 
should  be  content  and  happy  !  " 

Once,  to  relieve  her  mind,  she  had  confessed  to  the 
sheik  part  of  the  story  of  her  connection  with  the  death 
of  Kiamil  Aga. 

But  the  sheik  quickly  informed  her  she  was  giving 
herself  unnecessary  pain  in  her  remorse  on  the  subject, 
as  the  captain  of  zaptiehs  had  not  been  killed,  but  was 
living. 

"  He  hath  been  a  curse  and  a  scourge  to  us ! "  ex 
claimed  the  sheik.  "  It  is  a  pity  thou  didst  not  succeed 
in  crushing  the  life  out  of  him,  as  he  richly  deserved." 

But  Hilwe  greatly  rejoiced  that  the  aga  had  escaped, 
and  that,  though  he  would  carry  the  mark  of  his 
punishment  upon  him  the  rest  of  his  days,  she  had 
not  taken  his  life,  and  the  stain  of  his  blood  was  not 
upon  her. 

"When  the  zaptiehs  visit  us,  thou  hadst  best  con 
ceal  thyself,  lest  they  see  thee,"  advised  the  sheik. 
"  For,  though  he  gives  a  different  account  of  the  injury 
to  him,  did  he  find  thee,  the  aga  would  not  fail  to 
trouble  thee,  and  take  revenge  of  that  thou  hast  done." 


CHAPTER   LTV 

THE  insurrection  in  Crete  was  slowly  subsiding. 
At  last  the  continued  presence  of  the  Turkish 
troops  was  making  itself  felt  in  the  revival  of  the 
authority  of  the  government.  And  now  that  this  had 
been  brought  about,  there  was  a  certain  outward 
acquiescence  in  it  which  might  have  deceived  the  less 
astute  observer  into  imagining  it  the  true  spirit  of 
obedience,  and  the  restoration  of  law  and  order. 


558  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

People  had  begun  to  say  that  had  it  not  been  for  the 
Sphakiots  the  trouble  would  have  been  over  long  ago ; 
and  soon  ended  with  saying  that  but  for  the  Sphakiots 
there  would  never  have  been  any  trouble. 

In  case  of  failure  there  always  must  be  a  scapegoat. 

The  powers  that  be,  even  though  infirm,  rickety  and 
disabled,  as  long  as  they  can  keep  up  the  mask,  and  go 
through  the  prescribed  formulae  of  governing  within 
tolerably  decent  limits,  carry  with  them  a  certain 
prerogative  and  vested  rights  which  are  usually  ac 
cepted  by  the  majority. 

The  Sphakiots,  those  brave  mountaineers,  though  far 
from  being  conquered,  had  been  driven  into  their  more 
remote  fastnesses,  where,  tired  of  fighting,  and  having 
temporarily  exhausted  their  resources,  it  was  said  they 
were  willing  to  rest  for  the  present. 

The  last  conflicts  with  them  had  been  sharply  con 
tested.  In  one  of  these  they  had  drawn  the  Palestine 
soldiers  into  an  ambush  which  had  resulted  in  great 
loss  of  life.  It  was  the  part  of  the  regiment  to  which 
Hassan,  Chalil  and  Murad  belonged. 

The  Turkish  officer  in  command,  contrary  to  the 
warning  of  Hassan,  had  followed  up  too  confidently  the 
retreating  Sphakiots,  and  was  one  of  the  first  killed  in 
the  slaughter  that  ensued. 

It  was  openly  acknowledged  that,  but  for  the  coolness 
and  bravery  displayed  by  Hassan  at  the  critical  moment, 
the  entire  troop  would  have  been  cut  to  pieces. 

Murad,  the  easy-going,  pleasure-loving  Murad,  whose 
chief  object  in  life  was  to  get  all  the  sensual  gratifi 
cation  he  could  extract  from  it,  and  knew  no  better  — 
he,  the  warm-hearted  son  of  Mars,  was  desperately 
wounded,  and  would  have  been  left  upon  the  field,  in 
the  enemy's  hands,  had  not  Hassan,  at  the  risk  of  his 
own  life,  under  a  deadly  fire,  in  which  he  was  twice 
struck,  carried  him  off  on  his  shoulders,  to  a  place  of 
safety. 

It  was  an  instance  of  such  brilliant  action  and  unusual 
valour  in  the  field,  that  it  could  not  be  overlooked. 
Hassan  received  a  decoration,  the  medal  for  bravery  in 
battle,  and  a  further  promotion. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  559 

Though  his  wounds  were  painful,  they  were  not 
dangerous. 

With  Murad  the  case  was  serious.  The  full-blooded 
body,  made  for  pleasure,  accustomed  to  be  gratified, 
and  to  be  pandered  to  by  its  inhabitant,  had  now  to 
take  a  very  different  medicine.  It  was  drenched  with 
pain.  His  wounds,  dangerous  to  begin  with,  under 
the  treatment  of  incompetent  surgeons  brought  him  to 
death's  door. 

He  had  been  given  up  to  die;  and  as  he  lay  pale  and 
reduced  to  the  last  degree,  under  the  gnawings  of 
remorse  he  sent  for  Hassan  —  the  man  who  had  done 
so  much  for  him. 

"Thou  hast  snatched  me  from  the  jaws  of  death, 
though  all  for  naught.  I  would  confess  the  wrong  I 
have  done  thee  before  I  die. " 

He  spoke  with  difficulty ;  but,  with  the  desperation 
of  one  in  extremity,  he  told  the  story.  The  presence 
of  Hassan,  whom  now  he  really  loved,  revived  him; 
and  as  he  went  on  he  gathered  strength.  He  drew  forth 
the  little  amulet  of  pearl,  which  had  caused  so  much 
trouble,  and  gave  it  to  Hassan. 

"  I  found  it  after  thou  didst  leave,  that  day  of  our 
quarrel.  When  thou  didst  dash  it  from  thee,  it  re 
bounded,  and  lodged  in  a  cobweb,  in  a  corner  of  the 
room,  whence  I  took  it ;  and  I  have  since  preserved  it, 
seeing  there  was  some  mystery  about  it.  There  was 
no  truth  in  a  single  word  I  told  thee  of  my  intrigue 
connected  with  it.  I  never  had  it  of  any  damsel  — 
much  less  her  of  whom  I  boasted." 

Hassan  had  listened  patiently;  but  now  —  his  face 
almost  as  pale  as  Murad's  —  he  blurted  out,  through 
compressed  lips,  an  expression  of  mingled  sorrow  and 
contempt. 

"Thine  intentions,  doubtless,  are  good,  Murad.  But 
there  is  no  use  in  deceiving  me.  The  cadi  doth  not 
hear  denial  after  confession." 

"  I  am  not  deceiving  thee ! "  cried  Murad,  in  despair. 
"Wilt  thou  not  believe  a  dying  man?  Let  me  swear 
to  thee! " 

"  There,  there !   Do  not  excite  thyself.    It  is  too  late. " 


560  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

Hassan  shook  his  head  sorrowfully. 

"  It  is  not  too  late !  By  heavens  I  will  make  thee 
understand  and  believe  me !  " 

"Ah!  Didst  thou  not  describe  her  particularly, 
and  give  me  her  name  ? " 

Murad,  seizing  the  amulet,  pointed  out  the  name 
"Hilwe,"  now  nearly  obliterated. 

"  It  was  there  I  found  the  name.  It  was  plainer 
when  first  I  got  the  pearl  disc,  but  now  is  almost  worn 
away.  When  thou  didst  ask  me  the  damsel's  name,  the 
word  leaped  to  my  lips,  and  I  spoke  it,  not  knowing 
the  mischief  I  was  doing.  And  afterwards,  when  I 
perceived  a  mystery  and  a  grief  lay  behind  it  all  that  I 
could  not  fathom,  my  pride  would  not  let  me  confess. 
Was  I  not  ever  given  to  boast  of  my  amours?  Did  I 
not  tell  thee  of  a  score  of  them  ?  Why  should  this  one 
affect  thee  more  than  another  —  this  one  that  never 
occurred,  that  was  all  a  lie?  It  was  thus  I  argued. 
And  in  my  obstinacy,  I  could  not  bring  myself  to  show 
thee  how  it  was." 

Hassan  seemed  beyond  moving  —  as  if  it  was  now 
impossible  for  him  to  change  the  belief  into  which  he 
had  hardened.  It  was  pathetic  to  hear  him  murmur  to 
himself: 

"I  tried  to  forget  her;  but  I  could  not.     I  should 
have  had  to  tear  out  my  heart  for  that.     With  all,  in 
spite  of  all,  I  loved  her.     As  much  as  at  the  first  — 
yea,  a  thousand  times  more !     I  was  ashamed  of  myself 
because  of  it." 

So  spoke  Hassan,  in  agony  of  spirit  —  in  brokenness 
of  heart. 

But  Murad,  seeing  he  remained  unconvinced,  cried 
out :  "  Do  they  not  load  a  camel  even  while  he  grumbles  ? 
So,  in  spite  of  thee,  I  will  make  thee  believe! " 

He  raised  himself  in  the  bed,  and,  placing  his  hand 
upon  his  head,  swore  by  Mohammed  —  the  solemn  and 
terrible  oath,  so  reverenced  by  all  Moslems,  and  espe 
cially  by  the  fellaheen. 

"I  did  not  think  thou  wast  so  obdurate,"  he  said, 
"and  that  thou  wouldst  have  driven  me  to  it  to  per 
suade  thee.  Wilt  thou  not  now  believe?  " 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  561 

"Yea,  yea.  I  must  believe  thee, "  said  Hassan,  as  if 
he  were  waking  out  of  a  trance.  "  Yet  didst  thou  not 
describe  her  to  me  accurately?  " 

"The  description  I  took  out  of  thine  own  mouth. 
Did  I  not  cunningly  draw  from  thee,  each  time,  in  thy 
questioning  of  me,  the  image  of  her  person  —  she  whom 
I  had  never  set  eyes  on  —  and  then  I  gave  back  to  thee 
that  thou  hadst  already  told  me.  Yet  did  I  not  mean 
any  wrong,  or  to  do  thee  the  least  hurt.  I  saw  thou 
wast  interested  in  my  romance,  and  I  was  led  on  to 
add  more  and  more,  to  please  myself  and  thee  with 
the  recital  of  my  supposed  love-affair." 

"  And  the  little  boss  —  the  amulet  made  of  nacre  — • 
how  did  it  come  into  thy  possession?  "  Hassan's  head 
dropped  on  his  bosom,  while  he  added  in  a  low  voice : 
"  I  carved  it  for  her,  before  her  very  eyes.  My  heart 
went  into  it.  I  gave  it  to  her  as  a  talisman  and  a 
love-token.  How  happy  I  was,  that  day !  I  was  too 
happy. " 

At  that,  Murad  clapped  his  hands,  and  the  soldier 
who  waited  on  him  entered. 

"  Send  hither  Nagi,"  he  said.  "  He  promised  to  be 
here  before  this  time." 

Nagi  had  already  arrived,  and  was  at  once  ushered  in. 
He  proved  to  be  the  soldier  to  whom  Hilwe  had  given 
«the  amulet  and  message  for  Hassan,  which  were  never 
conveyed  to  him ;  and  he  told,  in  his  plain  rude  fashion, 
the  incidents  connected  with  the  trinket,  and  how,  after 
failing  in  his  attempts  to  deliver  it,  he  had  lost  it  to 
Murad  in  gambling. 

Nagi,  too,  willingly  made  oath,  confirming  his  state 
ments. 

"  Take  the  amulet ;  it  is  surely  thine,"  said  Murad, 
handing  the  carving  of  star-like  asphodel  to  Hassan. 
"Nagi,  thou  hast  been  a  tardy  messenger." 

"  True,"  said  Nagi  disconsolately ;  "  I  have  been  the 
cause  of  much  trouble." 

The  chain  of  evidence  was  complete.  Hassan  was 
convinced  of  the  truth  of  their  narration,  and  so  ex 
pressed  himself,  —  in  the  indignation  of  his  soul,  only 
refraining  from  outspoken  censure  and  condemnation 

36 


562  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

of  both  the  men  on  account  of  Murad's  critical  state 
and  the  unmeasured  contrition  they  expressed  for  what 
they  had  done. 

"  I  now  shall  die  contented,"  said  Murad,  "  since  thou 
hast  forgiven  me,  and  since  I  have  done  all  in  my  power 
to  repair  the  evil  I  unwittingly  was  the  cause  of." 

"  Thou  wilt  not  die,"  replied  Hassan.  "  Have  I  not 
brought  thee  some  dittany,  fresh  from  Mount  Ida?  I 
would  rather  have  it  than  all  the  drugs  and  nostrums  of 
thy  hakim." 

Whether  it  was  the  effect  of  the  ancient  classic  vul 
nerary,  or  his  respite  from  the  treatment  of  the  stupid  and 
ignorant  surgeon,  or  the  relief  to  his  mind  afforded  by 
his  confession  to  Hassan,  or  the  result  of  all  these  com 
bined,  certain  it  was  that  Murad  soon  began  to  show 
signs  of  improvement,  which  continued,  with  slight 
relapses  due  to  his  own  indiscretions,  till  he  slowly 
recovered. 

Every  one  said  it  was  next  to  a  miracle.  The  natives 
ascribed  his  cure  to  the  virtues  of  the  dittany ;  and  Vir 
gil  was  quoted  afresh,  and  his  mention  of  the  wounded 
wild  goats  having  recourse  to  the  plant  was  repeatedly 
dilated  on. 

But  the  gay  Murad  was  not  cured  of  his  self-indulgent 
life  or  his  gasconading  ways. 

In  after  years,  referring  to  this  severe  experience,  he  •> 
was   fond   of  slapping   his   thigh   and  boasting,  "  I   am 
none  the  worse  for  it.     I  am  as  sound  as  ever.     I  am 
better  than  ever  !  " 

And  so  he  appeared  to  be,  from  his  standpoint. 

At  times,  when  under  the  weather  and  a  fit  of  remorse 
seized  him,  he  would  admit  he  was  not  reposing  on  a  bed 
of  roses,  and  confess  that  he  had  not  done  right.  But  he 
would  wind  up  with  saying,  "  Where  is  the  person  who 
has  not  dirtied  his  garment  ?  Where  will  you  find  a  man 
free  from  sin?"  In  which  there  was  no  one  to  contra 
dict  him. 

One,  indeed,  was  not  satisfied  with  silent  acquiescence, 
but  added,  "  Yes,  they  are  all  alike  ;  whether  brought  up 
on  the  wild  Judaean  hills,  the  snow-clad  plains  of  Russia, 
in  the  South  Sea  islands,  or  amid  the  artificial  life  of 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  563 

the  most  cultured  city  in  the  world,  man  has  at  bottom 
the  same  nature,  the  same  proclivities,  and  they  will 
come  to  the  surface,  and  crop  out,  sooner  or  later,  some 
time  or  other,  as  sure  as  he  lives." 

But  long  before  Murad's  complete  restoration,  the  re 
port  had  spread  that  the  wounded  who  were  able  to 
be  moved  would  be  sent  home.  Then  followed  rumours 
that  at  least  one  if  not  both  of  the  Palestine  regiments 
were  to  accompany  the  wounded. 

The  reduction  of  the  insurrection  had  been  a  costly 
matter,  more  than  the  depicted  condition  of  the  Turkish 
treasury  could  very  well  sustain  without  complaint. 
True,  most  of  the  debt  could  be  raised  by  increased 
taxation,  farmed  out  through  the  extortionate  pashas 
and  kaimakams.  But  that  would  take  more  or  less 
time ;  and  there  were  pressing  wants  which  must  be 
met  without  delay.  There  was  an  evident  anxiety  to 
reduce  expenses  as  much  as  possible ;  and,  in  the  pres 
ent  condition  of  Crete,  there  seemed  no  necessity  for 
retaining  any  longer  more  than  the  usual  force  in  the 
island. 


CHAPTER   LV 

WHEN  the  news  that  the  regiments  were  return 
ing  from  Crete  reached  Palestine,  unbounded 
was  the  agitation.  The  hill-country  had  been  so  largely 
drawn  on  in  the  formation  of  the  regiments,  that  there 
naturally  the  feeling  was  at  its  highest.  All  sorts  of 
rumours  were  in  circulation  long  before  the  day  on  which 
the  soldiers  were  expected  to  arrive  in  Jerusalem,  where 
the  regiments  were  to  be  disbanded. 

It  was  not  to  be  all  rejoicing.  Alas,  no  !  Many  who 
had  gone  out  would  never  return.  They  filled  unknown 
graves  in  that  far-off  country,  —  direfully  far-off  to  the 
poor  fellaheen.  Have  they  not  passed  the  dread  inter 
rogation  of  the  black  and  terrible  angels,  Monker  and 
Naku,  and  can  never  be  recalled?  Others  would  come 


564  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

back,  but  not  they.  Some  would  return  wounded  and 
disabled.  A  few  of  the  younger  men  would  be  restored 
to  the  bosoms  of  their  families,  to  express  it  in  the  words 
of  Murad,  "  as  sound  as  ever,  or  better  than  ever." 

"  They  are  coming,  Hilwe,  —  I  know  they  are  coming," 
said  the  old  sheik.  "  Chalil  and  Hassan  will  soon  be 
here." 

"  God  grant  it,"  said  Hilwe.  "  I  dreamt  of  Hassan 
last  night.  I  could  see  him  very  clearly.  How  big  and 
stalwart  he  looked.  But  he  seemed  different ;  and  when 
I  drew  near  to  him,  and  he  spoke  sweet  words  to  me,  it 
was  as  though  I  could  n't  touch  him.  I  dread  to  think 
what  it  might  mean.  I  try  to  hope  that  all  shall  yet  be 
well.  For  I  cannot  believe  that  love  such  as  ours  should 
be  blotted  out  and  be  forever  lost." 

"  Yea,  and  after  all  thou  hast  endured.  Thou  art 
right,  my  daughter.  Allah  will  not  forget  thee,  but 
will  recompense  thee  fourfold." 

Thus  they  rambled  on,  in  their  simple  peasant  talk 
sometimes  speaking  the  wisdom  that  God  gives  to  the 
suckling. 

So  far  as  mere  speech  is  concerned,  these  people,  as 
we  have  seen  and  said,  are  a  good  deal  like  children. 
But  speech,  even  with  cultured  people,  is  rarely  a  meas 
ure  of  thought ;  and  who  can  tell  what  thoughts  are 
stirring  in  the  mind  of  a  child  —  or  of  a  peasant? 

In  the  unlettered  fellah  of  Palestine  one  does  not  ex 
pect  to  find  a  Platonic  philosopher,  or  to  hear  from  him 
philological  deductions,  or  discussions  of  the  differential 
calculus,  or  discourses  on  Greek  particles.  Yet,  doubt 
less,  all  this  is  in  him,  in  embryo,  as  the  child  contains 
all  the  elements  of  the  man,  or  the  acorn  incloses  the 
oak  of  a  thousand  years.  The  possibility  of  it  all  is  in 
the  most  uncouth  peasant;  though  we  would  as  soon 
expect  a  dog  to  quote  Horace  as  to  find  the  village 
fellah  do  so. 

But  when  the  day  came  on  which  it  was  known  the 
regiments  should  arrive  at  Jerusalem,  what  language  can 
describe  the  intense  feeling  of  the  people  !  They  went 
wild  with  excitement.  All  Jerusalem,  as  well  as  the 
country  round  about,  beyond  Hebron,  Lifta,  Bettir  and 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  565 

Malha,  was  stirred  to  its  very  depths.  Men,  women  and 
children  swarmed  out  on  all  the  roads  and  approaches 
to  meet  their  soldiers. 

"  O  God  be  merciful  to  us !  "  was  the  cry  of  many  an 
anxious  soul,  hoping  for  the  best  —  not  daring  to  pre 
pare  for  the  worst. 

What  swelling  hearts  !  what  longing  anticipations  on 
both  sides,  some  doomed  to  be  sorely  disappointed ! 

A  cloud  of  dust  first  announced  the  banished  ones. 
Then  came  the  droning  minor  of  the  Turkish  music.  It 
set  the  people  on  fire.  They  could  scarcely  contain 
themselves. 

Onward  came  the  troops,  marching  steadily,  bravely, 
looking  neither  to  the  right  nor  the  left;  banners  flying, 
officers,  some  on  horseback,  some  on  foot,  giving  orders ; 
the  words  of  command  so  promptly  obeyed,  ringing  out 
above  the  martial  strains  of  pipe,  bugle,  and  drum. 

They  had  passed  the  last  watch-tower  on  the  Jaffa 
road,  and  were  coming  swiftly  down  the  hill,  in  the 
midst  of  the  crowds  that  lined  the  way. 

"  God  the  most  merciful  be  kind  to  us,"  repeated 
Hilwe,  like  many  another  in  that  motley  multitude ;  and 
the  boy  Talmai  clung  the  closer  to  her  as  he  saw  the 
agony  in  her  face. 

"  Dost  thou  not  see  him?  "  asked  the  boy. 

"  Nay.     Not  yet,"  was  the  sorrowful  reply. 

She  held  her  peace  for  a  little  while.  There  was  a 
strained  wild  look  in  her  eyes  as  she  searched  each 
advancing  column,  and  saw  not  him  whom  she  sought. 

"  Yet  he  must  be  there,"  she  said.  "  He  must  be 
there;  or  what  will  become  of  thee  and  me?" 

Talmai  dragged  at  her  skirts ;  but  she  noticed  him 
not.  Her  eyes  carried  her  soul  in  them. 

Suddenly  they  sent  out  a  flood  of  light.  She  gave  a 
short  gasp. 

"  I  see  him  !  "  she  said,  beneath  her  breath. 

Then  came  a  strange  look  in  her  face.  Was  it  a 
mingling  of  pride  and  fear? 

It  was  surely  Hassan  she  saw ;  but  how  exalted  and 
mighty  he  had  become  !  He  was  an  officer  !  How  far 
off  he  was  from  her  ! 


566  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

The  expression  of  her  face  was  now  almost  one  of 
terror. 

"O  Allah  be  good  to  me!" 

As  the  last  soldier  passed  inside  the  battlemented 
walls  of  Jerusalem,  through  the  ancient  Jaffa  Gate,  there 
was  a  deafening  shout,  and  a  tremendous  rush  of  the 
people  to  follow  them.  How  sternly  the  tower-like 
gateway  frowned  with  its  battlements  and  machicolations 
for  pouring  down  boiling  pitch,  molten  lead,  or  other 
offensive  missiles  upon  the  heads  of  assailants,  looking 
as  if  it  still  might  be  capable  of  mischief.  Hilwe  and 
Talmai  were  among  the  struggling  mass  that  pushed  in, 
and  could  scarcely  keep  their  feet  in  the  surging  of  the 
crowd. 

"  Thou  wilt  get  trampled  under  foot !  "  a  policeman 
called  to  her. 

But  she  heeded  not  —  she  heard  not. 

She  was  murmuring  in  a  low  voice  to  herself  many  an 
incoherent  utterance,  as  if  demented,  and  hardly  con 
scious  of  what  she  said. 

"  Yes,  he  is  here,  he  is  here !  "  were  her  more  fre 
quent  words.  "And  Chalil  is  here  too,"  she  would  add, 
remembering  the  aged  sheik,  and  all  it  meant  to  him. 
"  Praise  be  to  Allah  !  " 

The  crowd  pressed  forward  to  the  entrance  of  the  bar 
racks.  The  square  was  filled. 

Presently  many  of  the  officers  and  the  men  came  out 
of  the  barracks,  on  various  duties ;  and  some  of  them 
walked  about,  in  front  of  the  Tower  of  David,  mingling 
with  the  people.  Hassan  was  among  them. 

Hilwe  saw  him.  She  did  not  dare  go  near  him,  but 
kept  very  still,  and  apart. 

She  soon  perceived  he  was  looking  around,  as  if 
seeking  some  one. 

The  next  moment  he  was  walking  towards  her.  With 
what  haughty  masterful  strides  he  came  —  stepping  like 
a  general !  He  stood  before  her. 

As  she  beheld  this  grand  stately  man  in  his  officer's 
uniform,  as  magnificent  as  the  proudest  Osmanli,  and  of 
mightier  build  than  any  of  them,  she  recalled  her  dream, 
and  her  courage  failed  her. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  567 

It  did  not  seem  to  her  right  that  she  should  love  a 
man  such  as  this  one.  How  was  she  to  mate  with  this 
glorious  being,  this  proud  and  distinguished  hero,  this 
man  of  arms  and  of  valour,  exalted  on  high,  clothed  in 
such  fine  raiment,  ornamented  with  gold  lace,  and  deco 
rated  with  medals  of  honour? 

No  wonder  if  a  little  distant  feeling  —  a  touch  of 
strangeness  should  lie  between  them.  The  glad  stream 
of  love  had  not  yet  leaped  the  barriers  which  their  sepa 
ration  had  erected  —  had  not  yet  made  its  way  back  to 
the  old  and  pleasant  courses  where,  aforetime,  swiftly 
and  joyously,  it  had  gone  singing,  and  found  comfort 
and  happiness. 

Yet  under  the  glittering  trappings  and  martial  equip 
ment  was  the  same  Hassan.  Beneath  the  proud  pano 
ply,  the  great  heart  of  the  peasant  and  shepherd  of  the 
hill-country  beat  warmly  for  her,  and  for  her  only. 

"  And  all  this  time,  while  I  have  been  away  from  thee, 
how  hast  thou  fared,  Hilwe?  " 

Hassan  spoke  with  the  simplicity  of  the  fellah.  But 
how  strange  and  hollow  and  different  his  voice  sounded  ! 

"  Ah,  were  it  not  for  the  goodness  of  the  noble  sheik, 
Abou  Chalil,  it  would  have  gone  hard  with  me !  He 
set  apart  thy  inheritance,  even  the  dwelling  and  thy  por 
tion  of  the  land,  to  thy  son  Talmai  and  his  mother." 

Thus  humbly  did  Hilwe  speak  of  herself. 

"And  the  lad  Talmai — where  is  he?  Where  doth 
he  abide?  " 

Now  Talmai  had  hidden  behind  his  mother's  skirts, 
and  was  stealthily  peeping  with  widely  staring  eyes  at 
the  great  man  who  was  his  father. 

"  He  is  even  here,  nigh  at  hand,"  answered  Hilwe. 

Thereupon  she  reached  behind  her,  and  drew  the  boy 
forth  into  view. 

"  Be  not  afraid,"  she  said  to  him.  "  He  is  thy 
father." 

As  Hassan's  eyes  fell  upon  Talmai,  a  glad,  proud 
glance  flashed  from  them.  His  heart  beat  fast,  and  he 
visibly  trembled.  All  the  force  of  the  father's  nature 
was  moved  within  him,  and  he  yearned  towards  his  son. 
His  own  image  in  miniature  was  before  him. 


568  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

"  Allah  be  praised,  he  is  indeed  my  son !  "  he  said. 

He  stretched  out  his  arms. 

"  Come !  " 

Looking  half  steadfastly,  half  questioningly,  in  his 
face,  the  boy  went  to  him. 

Hassan  caught  him  to  him,  and  kissed  him ;  and, 
lifting  him  on  high,  set  him  astride  his  shoulder. 

He  passed  his  hand  over  the  boy's  hair  and  face,  and 
down  his  limbs,  feeling  him,  as  one  who  loved  him ;  but 
he  uttered  not  a  syllable,  though  he  strove  to  speak; 
for  he  could  not  for  his  emotion. 

As  for  Talmai,  he  made  free  with  him,  clutched  him 
round  the  neck,  and  tugged  at  his  moustache,  now  grown 
to  formidable  dimensions. 

Poor,  patient  Hilwe,  in  her  painful  gladness,  choked 
back  a  sob  and  smiled. 

Just  then  a  soldier  of  Hassan's  regiment  came  up.  It 
was  the  faithful  Chalil. 

Hassan  turned  towards  him. 

"  Behold  my  son  !  "  he  said. 

"  He  is  thy  living  image,"  exclaimed  his  friend. 

"  Yea.  It  is  the  face  I  saw  in  the  water,  when,  as  a 
lad,  I  bathed  in  the  '  great  pools '  of  Suleyman  the 
Wise." 

And  so,  for  awhile,  they  talked  together  of  the  times 
that  were  gone. 

"  I  have  seen  my  father,"  said  Chalil,  with  glad 
voice. 

"  Thou  sayest !  "  exclaimed  Hassan.  "  And  how  is 
the  honoured  sheik?" 

"  He  is  well,  and  inquireth  for  thee." 

"  Make  my  salaams  to  him.     I  shall  see  him  soon." 

Then,  as  Chalil  left,  Hilwe  went  to  take  the  boy ;  but 
Hassan  would  not  give  him  up,  and  playfully  resisted. 

"  Nay,  give  him  to  me,"  she  said. 

"Is  he  not  the  son  of  my  strength?"  was  his  ex 
ultant  speech. 

"  Is  he  not  the  son  of  my  sorrow?  "  she  said.  "  Have 
I  not  well-nigh  given  my  life  for  him?  " 

Hassan  listened  attentively  while  she  told  of  it,  and 
her  sad  experience ;  but  he  spoke  not  a  word,  good  or 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  569 

bad.  It  smote  his  lips  dumb  as  he  thought  of  how  far 
he  had  been  from  her  in  her  hour  of  need.  Then  came 
the  added  pang  as  he  remembered  how  he  had  mis 
judged  her ;  and  he  groaned  in  spirit.  His  heart  was 
full  to  overflowing. 

At  last  it  was  night,  and  they  were  alone  together. 
But  even  yet  Hilwe  could  not  believe  the  exceeding  joy 
which  encompassed  her,  and  which  she  seemed  unable 
to  reach.  It  was  too  much.  She  scarcely  dared  to  look 
up  at  the  big  and  gallant  soldier  who  had  come  to  her, 
and  who  was  like  unto  a  stranger.  She  feared  while  she 
loved  him.  And  when  the  handsome  giant  took  her  in 
his  arms  and  drew  her  to  him,  she  hid  her  face  against 
his  fine  uniform,  as  one  that  is  ashamed,  and  was  as  a 
slender  reed  that  is  shaken  by  the  wind. 

"  Hilwe,  my  beloved,"  he  said,  "  rememberest  thou 
not  the  days  that  are  past  — when  we  wandered  together 
on  the  hillside,  in  the  sweet  free  air,  and  the  brightness 
of  the  heavens  was  round  about  us?" 

"  Yes,"  she  answered  softly.  "  How  could  I  for 
get?" 

"Shall  it   not  be  so  again?" 

When  they  thus  had  spoken,  and  he  reassured  her, 
and  kissed  her.  she  knew  he  was  the  same  Hassan  who 
had  always  loved  her ;  and  she  believed  him  when  he 
told  her  that  now  he  loved  her  more  than  ever  —  as 
never  before. 

"  I  shall  always  abide  with  thee,  and  cleave  unto 
thee,"  he  said,  with  the  unabashed  openness  of  the  brave 
and  innocent  man.  "Are  we  not  one  flesh?  No  one, 
except  Allah  and  the  children  he  giveth  unto  us,  shall 
share  my  love  with  thee." 

O  blessed  and  holy  sacrament  of  married  love ! 
Glory  be  to  the  Divine  Name  that  He  has  left  us  this 
one  relic  of  happiness  and  of  Eden  !  Let  us  adore  Him 
through  this  beautiful  ordinance,  established  by  Himself 
from  the  beginning,  throughout  all  creation,  as  a  means 
of  grace  and  the  inheritance  of  eternal  life  ! 

It  is  a  great  thing  to  be  loved,  a  greater  still  to  love, — 
but  the  greatest  of  all  is  when,  these  two  being  united, 


570  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

we  go  on  our  way,  loving  and  loved,  marching  to  the 
sweet  and  holy  music  of  the  spheres,  all  life  a  light  and 
a  joy. 

The  life  at  Bettir  —  how  simple  it  was!  —  in  some 
respects,  simple  almost  to  savagery  in  its  naturalness ! 
But  it  is  the  simple  things  that  make  foolish  and  con 
found  the  wisdom  of  the  great. 

How  proudly  the  old  sheik  Abou  Chalil  gave  Hassan 
and  Hilwe  his  blessing!  And  the  long-deferred  mar 
riage-feast  was  held  with  all  the  village  pomp  and 
ancient  ceremonies  and  customs,  dear  to  the  peasant 
heart;  and  there  was  much  rejoicing  as  they  brought 
the  man  and  woman  home. 


CHAPTER   LVI 

K TAMIL   AGA,  that  wayward  and  flagrant  officer 
of  the  zaptiehs,  did  not  again  trouble  Bettir  or 
the  hill-country,  to  which  he  had  been  as  an  avenging 
angel. 

This  was  not  due  to  any  change  of  heart  on  his  part, 
but  to  the  fact  that  he  had  obtained  an  appointment  in 
Constantinople,  whither  he  removed. 

Whatever  marks  and  disfigurements  he  bore  on  his 
elegant  and  well-nurtured  body,  the  result  of  his 
humiliating  and  disgraceful  fall  at  Hilwe's  hands,  he 
carefully  concealed  from  every  eye,  so  far  as  was  pos 
sible.  He  himself  hated  to  look  at  them,  and  he 
would  gnash  his  teeth  and  rage  when  he  happened  to 
see  them.  Fortunately  for  him,  the  greater  part  of 
these  blemishes  were  concealed  beneath  his  clothes. 
A  deep  scar  across  his  cheek,  those  who  knew  no 
better  gave  him  the  credit  of  having  received  in  battle. 
The  slight  limp,  his  chief  mortification,  he  learned 
to  manage  with  great  skill,  so  that  it  was  barely 
perceptible. 

It  was  said  his  general  health  had  been  permanently 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  571 

injured.  But,  if  so,  there  certainly  was  no  marked 
evidence  of  it  apparent  after  the  first  year  of  his 
convalescence. 

For  a  time  he  went  about  with  a  rather  subdued  air; 
but  inwardly  the  fires  of  wrath  consumed  him ;  and  it 
was  certain  his  unfortunate  experience  had  far  other 
than  a  holy  influence  upon  him. 

His  removal  to  Constantinople,  however,  prevented 
any  open  demonstration  of  his  feelings  in  the  shape  of 
what  might  be  considered  revenge. 

Once  in  the  City  of  the  Sultan,  he  gave  loose  to  the 
pursuits  and  pleasures  congenial  to  such  a  nature  as 
his,  consorting  with  a  class  of  young  men  who  were 
notorious  for  their  free  living.  He  considered  he  had 
never  before  known  what  life  really  was  worth,  and 
counted  his  previous  years,  in  comparison,  as  wasted. 

In  an  evil  hour  he  was  led  into  one  of  those  palace 
intrigues  which  have  cost  so  many  men  their  liberty  or 
their  lives.  His  sin  was  an  unforgivable  one.  Being 
discovered,  his  only  safety  lay  in  flight ;  and  he  barely 
succeeded  in  escaping  across  the  frontier. 

He  had  thus  reaped  the  legitimate  consequences  of 
his  acts.  For  a  momentary  gratification,  he  had  de 
stroyed  all  his  prospects  of  success  under  the  Ottoman 
government. 

After  this  he  led  a  desultory  life  in  some  of  the 
chief  cities  of  Europe.  His  downward  course  was 
rapid.  But  even  in  Constantinople  he  had  made  him 
self  scandalous  long  before  his  final  escapade. 

"There  goes  the  lascivious  Turk  in  all  his  uncon 
scious  enormity,"  said  an  English  gentleman,  one  day, 
on  seeing  Kiamil  pass,  and  speaking  generically  as 
well  as  individually.  "  Poor  fellow,  he  is  made  out  to 
be  far  worse  than  he  is ;  and,  God  knows,  he  has  sins 
enough  and  to  spare.  But  give  a  dog  a  bad  name,  and 
you  know  how  it  is.  No  one  has  a  good  word  to  say 
for  him.  Battening  in  lust,  and  knowing  no  evil  in 
it — yea,  rather  the  supreme  good,  for  he  makes  his 
heaven  of  it  —  the  accusation  is,  not  that  the  Turk  is 
sensual  and  that  he  is  licentious,  for  that  can  be  said  of 
many  other  peoples,  but  that  he  professedly  lives  in 


572  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

this  condition,  does  not  rise  above  it,  is  subordinated 
to  it,  and,  with  his  peculiar  ineptitude,  can  find  no 
deliverance  from  it.  There  are  physical  reasons  con 
nected  with  this.  It  could  not  be  otherwise  than  as  it 
is,  they  say.  He  generally  is  well  made  and,  so  far  as 
the  animal  goes,  a  man  in  the  fullest  sense.  Nor  is 
he  wanting  in  courage.  Often  handsome,  he  is  not 
seldom  agreeable  and  even  attractive  in  a  certain  way. 
But  the  way  is  not  an  exalted  one.  With  all  this,  it 
would  be  strange  how  much  he  makes  you  like  him, 
did  we  not  know  that,  in  secret,  most  men  have  lean 
ings  that  make  them  palliate  the  natural  sins,  and  give 
them  a  fellow-feeling  for  the  sinner." 

To  this  might  be  added,  en  passant,  that,  naturally 
polite  himself,  courtesy  and  politeness  go  a  great  way 
with  the  Turk.  But  in  political  and  diplomatic  affairs, 
the  hand  of  iron  in  the  glove  of  velvet  that  the  Emperor 
Charles  V.  was  so  fond  of  recommending,  seems  to  be 
the  exact  thing  to  meet  the  case. 

The  most  easy  people  in  the  world  to  manage  are 
the  Turks;  and  therefore  you  must  take  all  the  more 
care  that  somebody  else  is  not  managing  them,  while 
you  think  you  are  doing  so. 

In  the  course  of  his  wanderings,  Kiamil  had  drifted 
into  the  great  city  of  Vienna,  where  he  continued  to 
lead  the  gay  life  he  had  known  elsewhere,  though  now 
daily  becoming  more  restricted  from  his  reduced  cir 
cumstances.  His  health,  too,  began  to  be  seriously 
impaired.  The  wonder  was  that  it  had  withstood  so 
long  the  ravages  of  his  wild  career. 

He  had  never  done  any  hard  work.  His  delicate 
hands  showed  that.  How  could  he  turn  to  labour  for 
a  living?  Besides,  his  nature  revolted  from  it. 

Like  all  men  of  an  ardent  temperament,  he  had  his 
reactive  spells  of  melancholy  and  sadness;  and  some 
times,  even  in  other  days  and  in  the  midst  of  his  happy 
thoughts,  a  touch  of  this  might  have  been  seen.  But 
on  the  whole  he  bore  his  misfortunes  patiently. 

He  finally  had  been  obliged  to  take  a  room  in  one  of 
the  poorest  quarters  of  the  city  —  a  wretched  cage  for 
so  gay  a  bird.  Everything  of  its  furnishing  was  of  the 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  573 

most  simple  kind.  It  was  simplicity  measured  by 
poverty.  But  now  he  was  only  too  glad  to  have  that, 
or  a  roof  to  cover  his  head.  He  was  not  altogether 
alone.  An  unfortunate  girl,  one  of  those  tall  blonde 
Viennese,  with  hair  like  spun  gold,  whose  acquaintance 
he  had  early  made  on  his  arrival  in  the  Austrian  capi 
tal,  came  occasionally  to  minister  to  him  in  his  sick 
ness.  He  seemed  to  retain  a  certain  attraction  for 
her;  and,  to  some  extent,  she  had  become  attached  to 
him.  Perhaps  his  dark  complexion  with  his  large 
expressive  eyes,  of  that  rich  deep  brown  that  in  shadow 
appears  to  be  black,  presented  the  extreme  contrast  to 
herself  that  appealed  to  her  nature  and  satisfied  her. 
Certain  it  was  she  came  as  often  as  she  possibly  could 
to  see  him,  bringing  him  such  little  dainties  as  her 
slim  and  irregularly-supplied  purse  permitted. 

Toward  the  close  it  went  hard  with  him.  One  could 
scarce  help  sympathising  with  him,  he  was  in  so  sore  a 
strait.  Satan  himself  would  have  pitied  him.  But 
the  fallen  man,  wretched  as  was  his  state,  murmured 
not. 

"  Kismet,"  he  would  say.  "  Life  is  a  strange  thing. 
How  little  we  know  about  it !  It  is  too  short.  Too 
short  to  do  much  with,  anyway  —  either  bad  or  good. 
I  tried  to  be  happy.  That  was  all.  If  that  is  a  sin,  I 
cannot  help  it.  Why  was  I  made  that  way?  Why  did 
I  so  greatly  desire  the  joys  of  life?  When  I  came  into 
the  world  I  didn't  know  anything  about  the  event;  nor 
had  I  any  choice  in  the  matter.  And  when  I  go  out 
of  the  world,  it  is  probable  I  shall  know  but  little 
about  it,  either." 

Then  there  came  a  decided  change  for  the  worse  in 
his  condition. 

"Your  heart  is  affected,"  they  told  him. 

"No  wonder,"  he  said. 

It  was  the  quenching  of  the  fire.  The  eyes  had  the 
dull  listless  look  of  the  man's  who  has  lost  hope  — 
who  has  no  more  expectation  of  living  again  the  pas 
sionate  joyous  moments  that  once  flooded  his  veins 
with  the  warm  exaltation  of  life. 

He  did  not  want  to  believe  it — -he  could  not  bear  to 


574  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

think  it —  to  accept  the  dreadful  assertion  that  Nature 
had  made  in  such  blunt  unvarnished  terms.  Yet  it  was 
too  true.  Not  all  the  warm  love-breath  in  the  world 
could  again  kindle  the  dying  embers  to  their  wonted 
glow,  or  satisfy  the  most  moderate  demand  of  the 
retrenching  spendthrift — the  once  prodigal  votary  of 
pleasure.  Soon  the  last  remnant  of  heat  would  depart, 
and  nothing  but  a  pitiful  handful  of  cold,  bitter,  gray 
ashes  upon  the  high  altar  would  be  left  to  denote  the 
spot  where  passion's  fires  had  burned  —  where  such 
lavish  sacrifices  to  Eros  had  been  offered, 

He  was  poverty-stricken.  The  authorities,  having 
had  the  case  brought  to  their  notice,  investigated  it,  and 
had  him  removed  to  the  great  and  celebrated  hospital, 
—  with  its  thousands  of  beds,  and  obliteration  of  the 
individual,  —  so  long  the  pride  of  the  fair  metropolis. 
How  often,  in  passing,  he  had  noticed  the  quaint  old- 
fashioned  pile  of  buildings  with  its  multitudinous  win 
dows,  little  thinking,  in  his  day  of  strength,  that  he  ever 
should  be  an  inmate  of  it ! 

Here  he  completely  lost  his  identity.  He  had  long 
passed  under  an  assumed  name,  and  now,  being  removed 
in  the  absence  of  the  girl  who,  from  loving  devotion, 
had  done  what  she  could  for  him,  he  disappeared  from 
sight,  as  if  already  entombed.  The  girl's  own  illness 
had  prevented  her  visiting  him  for  several  days ;  and 
he  lay  helpless  in  a  miserable  state  of  neglect  and  want 
when  the  officers  appeared  upon  the  scene. 

"Pleasure  and  suffering  —  suffering  and  pleasure  — 
they  are  all  one,"  he  said.  "  Life  becomes  so  mauled 
and  beaten  out,  it  is  numb  to  any  ordinary  sensation. 
I  do  not  know  whether  it  is  more  pain  to  experience 
pleasure,  than  pleasure  to  endure  pain.  It  has  come 
to  that  with  me.  I  get  quite  confused  about  it.  There, 
too,  is  such  a  thing  as  one  kind  of  pain  being  a  relief 
from  another  kind  from  which  we  have  long  suffered. 
But  I  believe  I  have  passed  beyond  that." 

His  life  was  ebbing  fast.  He  now  knew  he  had  not 
long  to  live.  Without,  the  daylight  was  dying  upon  the 
hills  he  never  more  should  see.  He  was  going  out  with 
the  day.  His  feet  should  never  again  carry  him  into 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  575 

the  places  they  had  been  wont  to  frequent.  All  that 
was  over  with  him.  The  night  was  coming  on.  The 
strong,  arrogant  young  man  was  weak  and  helpless 
enough  now.  The  proud  head  was  laid  low;  the 
eagerly  responsive  pulses  were  quieted,  and  presently 
would  be  stilled  forever.  It  was  difficult  to  believe  that 
one  lately  so  full  of  warm  life  and  intense  feeling  would 
soon  be  no  better  than  a  clod  of  the  valley. 

It  happened  that,  the  very  next  day,  the  Englishman 
who,  several  months  before,  had  made  the  remarks 
about  Kiamil  and  the  Turks,  and  who  was  still  sojourn 
ing  in  Vienna,  was  taken  by  a  medical  friend  to  see  the 
great  hospital,  which,  with  certain  restrictions,  is  one  of 
the  show  places  of  the  city.  As  an  unusual  privilege, 
he  was  admitted  to  the  vaults  beneath,  where  the 
unclaimed  dead  bodies,  reserved  for  dissection  —  sub 
jects  who  had  just  died  in  the  hospital  —  are  all  laid  out, 
naked  as  they  were  born,  upon  the  broad  range  of  stone 
slabs  that  occupy  one  side  of  the  space.  The  bodies 
are  nameless,  each  only  designated  by  a  number,  or  as 
such  or  such  a  case,  referring  to  the  disease  of  which 
he  had  died.  Kiamil  was  among  them. 

The  water  slowly  and  noiselessly  trickles  over  the 
slanting  slabs.  The  atmosphere  is  sepulchral.  All 
language  is  frozen  to  silence  in  the  place. 

"  Poor  humanity,  everything  that  once  made  it  desir 
able  and  beautiful,  gone,"  thought  the  healthy  English 
man.  And  as  he  turned  away  he  could  not  escape  the 
impression  the  grim  scene  conveyed.  He  carried  it 
with  him.  It  was  photographed  in  his  mind. 

As  he  reached  the  street,  and  was  once  more  laved 
by  the  sunshine  and  the  wholesome  air,  what  a  relief 
and  comfort  he  felt  it.  It  was  like  a  purification. 

"  To-day  I  have  seen  the  end  of  man  and  his  history, 
written  in  some  of  the  most  revolting  forms,"  he  mused. 
"Knowing  what  poor  man  is,  and  knowing,  even  in  our 
feeble  way,  the  eternal  and  almighty  majesty  of  God, 
I  can  but  say :  '  How  can  He  be  angry  with  His  crea 
ture  that  he  has  made?  '  I  have  heard  with  the  inner  ear 
the  poor  dead  lips  that  can  nevermore  speak,  but  are 
fast  turning  to  corruption  —  I  have  heard  them  cry  out : 


576  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

'  My  punishment  is  greater  than  I  can  bear.'  Where 
is  the  room  for  vengeance?  Poor  fellows,  laid  out, 
cold  and  passionless  enough  now,  ready  for  the  dissect 
ing  knife,  the  pleasure,  such  as  they  knew  it,  all  taken 
out  of  them.  And  yet  once  a  mother  and  a  sister  bent 
above  and  kissed  those  lips,  and  a  dearer  one  still 
pressed  them  in  heart-expandin  g  love.  But  their  smile  is 
gone  forever;  and  they  have  become  repulsive  to  all, 
no  matter  how  warm  with  life  and  fascination  they  once 
were.  Ah,  how  pitiful !  —  In  the  presence  of  all  this, 
how  strangely  cruel  sounds — 'After  death  the  judg 
ment.'  " 

By  one  of  those  coincidences  which  we  call  strange 
only  because  we  do  not  hear  of  them  oftener,  at  the 
moment  when  the  hapless  soul  of  the  Osmanli  was 
scourged  from  the  body  in  which  he  had  done  his  sultry 
will,  so  far  as  he  could,  — in  a  quiet  rectory  in  England, 
an  old  mansion  with  ivied  walls  and  chimneys,  sur 
rounded  with  sweet-scented  sloping  lawns,  smooth  and 
pleasant,  and  embosomed  in  umbrageous  foliage  of  trees 
many  centuries  old,  and  within  sound  of  the  cathedral 
bells  beneath  which  he  had  so  long  ministered,  Canon 
Stanhope  was  breathing  his  last.  The  cooing  of  doves 
and  cawing  of  rooks  gave  a  pensive  flavour  to  the 
atmosphere  of  the  place.  All  was  peace,  peace,  as  it 
can  be  in  no  other  country  in  the  world  —  in  no  other 
country  this  side  of  heaven. 

Except  for  the  change  wrought  by  his  illness,  the  re 
vered  ecclesiastic  was  not  greatly  altered  in  his  general 
appearance,  but  looked  very  much  as  he  had  done  that 
day  in  Jerusalem,  when  he  and  his  daughter  purchased 
the  flowers  from  Hilwe  and  Amne,  and  the  vain  young 
captain  of  zaptiehs  acted  as  interpreter  for  them.  It 
was  the  one  point  —  the  only  one  in  their  lives  —  where 
that  son  of  passion  and  the  saintly  Anglican  had  met 
and  touched.  Never  again;  as  never  before,  had  their 
eyes  met,  their  hands  clasped,  or  their  voices  sounded 
in  each  other's  ears.  And  now  they  were  giving  up  the 
ghost  at  the  same  moment  of  time.  Such  is  fate. 

The  peace  that  passeth  understanding  filled  the  can- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  577 

on's  mind.  His  fair  daughter,  leaning  over  the  man  of 
God,  smoothed  his  pillow.  The  tears  poured  down  her 
face,  and  she  could  not  restrain  her  sobs.  He  raised 
his  handkerchief,  and  wiped  the  tears  away. 

"  Weep  not,"  he  said.  "  I  am  going  home,  to  my 
Father,  and  your  Father  —  to  my  God,  and  your  God. 
Have  I  not  here  been  a  stranger  and  a  sojourner,  as  all 
my  fathers  were  ?  " 

He  spoke  in  a  low  voice,  but  it  was  full  of  feeling. 

"It  is  the  end,"  he  continued;  "the  end  of  this  life 
—  the  beginning  of  another." 

Suddenly  he  roused  himself,  and  with  surprising  energy 
repeated  the  first  clauses  of  the  "  Te  Deum" — that 
grand,  exultant  hymn  of  the  Church — commencing  in  a 
full  impassioned  voice,  which  gathered  strength  as  he 
proceeded  :  "  We  praise  thee,  O  God  !  We  acknowledge 
thee  to  be  the  Lord !  All  the  earth  doth  worship  thee, 
the  Father  everlasting !  "  and  ending  with  the  glorious 
acclamation :  "  Heaven  and  earth  are  full  of  the  majesty 
of  thy  glory  !  " 

He  ceased ;  his  breath  was  failing.  Willing  as  was 
the  spirit,  the  flesh  was  weak. 

"  Yes,  it  is  the  end  here,"  he  said.  "  I  go  whence  I 
came.  I  return  to  Him  of  whom  I  am.  There  is  no 
Heaven  but  in  him.  To  be  in  him  is  Heaven." 

Again  his  voice  faltered.  This  time  it  was  for  several 
moments. 

"And  the  body  —  the  body  —  ah,  the  poor  body 
that  we  thought  so  much  of!  " 

A  sublime  pity  shone  in  his  face  as  he  looked  down 
on  the  clay  he  was  deserting ;  but  this  was  absorbed  in 
a  higher  glow,  a  suffusion  of  intenser  light,  as,  in  the 
passing  of  the  soul,  he  spoke  with  his  last  breath  the 
words  : 

"  One  with  Thee  !  " 

Those  who  beheld  and  heard  said  there  was  no  doubt 
that  he  had  awoke  with  His  likeness,  and  was  satisfied. 

That  dear  old  face,  grand  with  its  original  racial 
strength  and  intellectual  endowment,  had  something 
more  than  these,  —  the  triumphant  joy  of  a  conqueror, 
with  the  peace  the  world  cannot  give  or  take  away. 

37 


57 8  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

He  had  repeated  the  "Te  Deum "  so  often,  the 
heavenly  grace  and  beauty  of  it  had  passed  into  him, 
his  people  said,  and  had  moulded  the  lines  of  his  coun 
tenance,  and  breathed  out  of  his  every  feature,  till  his 
face  was  a  sermon. 

It  was  well  with  him. 


CHAPTER   LVII 

NONE  of  Hilwe's  friends  were  more  delighted  at 
her  good  fortune  and  her  deliverance  from  the 
hands  of  those  that  hated  her  than  was  Kadra,  the  wise 
woman  of  Malha. 

"  Thou  hast  been  highly  favoured,  Hihve,"  was  her 
salutation,  on  first  meeting  her,  after  Hassan's  return. 
"  It  will  be  better  in  the  end  for  thee  than  at  the  begin 
ning.  Did  we  not  know  that  good  luck  is  not  sold  in 
the  market,  we  might  inquire  of  thee  as  to  the  city  in 
which  thou  hast  purchased  the  rare  commodity,  and 
the  merchant  who  keeps  such  a  stock-in-trade,  that  we 
might  get  a  supply." 

Hilwe  understood  Kadra  too  well  not  to  know  that 
this  sally  of  hers  was  intended  simply  to  draw  a  return 
in  kind. 

"  Ah !  Indeed,  Kadra,  is  it  not  rather  to  thee  we 
must  go  for  such  information?  Have  I  not  heard  of  all 
the  wonderful  things  which  have  happened  to  thee? 
But  we  desire  to  know  them  from  thine  own  lips." 

This  was  sufficient  to  open  the  mouth  of  the  wise 
woman;  and  a  flood  of  personal  relation  followed. 
Yet  she  commenced  in  a  deprecatory  tone. 

"  Doubtless  they  have  told  thee  more  than  the  truth," 
she  said.  "  They  have  made  much  out  of  a  small  thing. 
In  the  ant's  house  a  little  dew  makes  a  deluge.  What 
is  my  good  fortune  to  thine?  Is  it  not  as  an  acorn  to 
an  oak?  Yet,  though  the  cook  is  not  to  be  mentioned 
in  the  same  breath  with  the  master,  and  is  not  thought 
of  by  the  guests  at  the  great  feast,  and  is  excused  from 
paying  compliments  and  respects  to  them,  does  not  that 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  579 

same  cook  get  the  first  taste  of  everything?  Mayhap 
it  is  so  with  me.  I  will  not  deny  the  benefits  that  have 
come  to  me.  It  is  they  who  cannot  dance  complain 
that  the  floor  is  uneven." 

No  doubt  she  had  much  to  tell  of,  and  that  of  a  sur 
prising  nature.  And  who  could  tell  it  to  equal  her? 

Hassan  and  Hilwe  had  heard  the  various  rumours  as 
they  went  flying,  hither  and  thither,  with  the  usual 
embellishments  of  the  natives,  —  but  to  have  the  full  and 
true  account  from  Kadra,  the  chief  personage  in  the 
drama,  was  something  worth  boasting  of. 

The  sum  and  substance  of  the  highly-wrought  narra 
tive  amounted  to  this:  Kadra  had  made  her  third 
matrimonial  venture.  She  was  now  the  fourth  living 
wife  of  no  less  a  man  than  Abd-el-nour. 

This  had  been  brought  about  by  much  diplomacy  — 
nice  and  cunning  work,  such  as  the  native  is  an  adept 
in,  and  necessary  to  be  doubly  skilful  when  employed 
in  such  a  case,  with  so  old  a  bird  as  Abd-el-nour,  whose 
common  vaunt  was  that  he  was  not  to  be  caught  with 
chaff. 

Kadra's  house  was  filled  with  valuables  lent  by  rela 
tives  and  friends  who  were  in  the  plot,  and  directly  or 
indirectly  interested.  Abd-el-nour,  with  the  greatest 
secrecy  and  caution,  was  allowed  to  get  a  furtive  peep 
at  this  goodly  store.  He  was  also  informed  of  an 
immense  buried  treasure  in  silver,  belonging  to  the 
widow,  the  accumulation  of  many  years,  and  the  result 
of  her  former  marriages.  All  this,  and  much  more 
unnecessary  to  describe,  set  the  ball  rolling.  Not  a 
word  hinting  at  matrimony  was  mentioned.  Other 
suitors,  younger  men  than  Abd-el-nour,  were  introduced 
upon  the  scene,  to  stimulate  him.  It  was  enough.  His 
cupidity  was  excited.  The  necessary  "  go-between " 
finished  the  business,  Kadra  "  holding  off"  and  not  con 
senting  till  she  had  everything  as  she  wished  it. 

Besides  a  large  sum  paid  down  by  the  bridegroom, 
there  was  from  the  friends  on  both  sides  a  handsome 
display  of  bridal  gifts  including  money.  The  amounts 
called  out  by  the  crier  or  announcer  at  the  marriage  were 
fraudulently  quadrupled  by  him,  so  that  Abd-el-nour 


580  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

congratulated  himself  as  having  done  an  uncommonly 
good  thing,  even  better  than  he  expected.  Most  of  the 
gifts  presented  by  Kadra's  relatives  were,  according  to 
private  agreement,  well  understood,  carefully  returned 
after  the  ceremony.  But  Kadra  managed  everything, 
including  Abd-el-nour,  so  well,  nothing  wrong  was 
imagined  by  him. 

In  consideration  of  the  suppositious  wealth  she 
brought  him,  she  was  advanced  to  be  his  favourite  wife; 
and,  presently,  she  succeeded  in  getting  him  so  com 
pletely  in  hand  that  her  word  was  law  with  him.  He 
felt  a  pressure  somewhere,  but  hardly  knew  what  it 
meant.  The  other  wives  saw  their  interest  lay  in  uniting 
with  her  against  one  who  had  been  a  tyrant  to  them. 
Among  the  four  confederate  women  he  was  helpless ; 
and  when  he  awoke  to  the  recognition  of  the  situation, 
he  found  he  \vas  too  old  and  feeble  to  deliver  himself. 
He  had  earned  the  hatred  and  contempt  of  the  village. 
The  combination,  within  and  without,  was  too  strong  for 
him.  It  was  useless  to  fight  against  it. 

Kadra  used  her  power  judiciously,  if  not  mercifully. 
She  especially  espoused  the  cause  of  poor  despised 
Nigme,  who  had  been  the  wife  of  Abd-el-nour's  youth, 
and  the  mother  of  his  children.  The  latter  had  died  in 
their  infancy,  which  was  one  reason  for  his  cruel  ill- 
treatment  of  her.  But  the  chief  cause  of  his  resentment 
against  her  was  that  Nigme,  who,  in  spite  of  everything, 
had  continued  to  love  him  from  the  first,  in  order  to 
gain  his  affection  had  recourse  to  the  use  of  the  love 
philtre. 

The  black  stone,  regarded  as  so  effectual  in  the  case 
of  unrequited  love,  is  also  considered,  in  some  degree, 
poisonous.  Such  stones  are  exceedingly  rare.  The 
one  in  question  was  kept  by  an  old  woman,  who  gained 
a  good  livelihood  from  it.  It  was  highly  valued,  and 
only  lent  on  the  deposit  of  a  round  sum  of  money. 

On  procuring  the  potent  antidote,  which  was  to  re 
store  to  her  the  love  of  her  youth,  Nigme,  grinding  the 
stone  on  a  piece  of  pottery,  mixed  the  resultant  powder 
in  milk,  and  gave  it  to  Abd-el-nour  to  drink. 

It   almost   killed    him,    but  seemed  to   produce   the 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  581 

desired  result.  This  being  perceived  by  the  wife  against 
whom  the  spell  was  used,  she  had  recourse  to  the  same 
remedy,  which  was  disastrous  and  well-nigh  fatal  in 
its  effects  on  Abd-el-nour. 

Suspecting  the  origin  of  his  peculiar  sickness,  he 
obliged  the  women  to  confess  what  they  had  done, 
and  soon  all  was  brought  to  light. 

Instead  of  earning  his  love,  they  had  gained  his 
unmitigated  hatred,  which  was  principally  exercised 
against  Nigme,  from  whom  he  considered  better  might 
have  been  expected. 

"  Cursed  be  thou !  "  he  yelled,  in  his  spasms  of  pain. 
"As  I  live,  I  shall  divorce  thee.  Many  a  man  has 
divorced  his  wife  for  far  less  —  even  for  spoiling  his 
coffee." 

But  Kadra  soon  brought  the  exercise  of  this  hostility 
to  an  end.  She  also  insisted  on  his  returning  to  Nigme 
her  dowry  headdress  and  necklace  of  bishliks,  the  most 
precious  possession  of  the  wife,  of  which,  contrary  to 
custom  and  traditional  law,  he  had  deprived  her. 

It  was  an  inexpressible  pleasure  to  the  poor  despised 
creature  to  wear  once  more  those  invaluable  ornaments. 
But  what  humilation  it  was  to  Abd-el-nour ! 

He  was  receiving  his  well-deserved  punishment,  and 
lived  in  a  constant  torment  of  impotent  rage  at  the 
plight  into  which  he  had  fallen. 

No  one  pitied  him,  unless  it  might  be  Nigme.  He 
hated  every  one,  and  feared  Kadra. 

Not  a  single  detail  of  all  this  was  forgotten  to  be  dila 
ted  on  by  Kadra  in  her  recital  to  Hassan  and  Hilwe. 

The  wise  woman  had  now  become  a  power  in  Malha, 
and  an  object  of  suit  and  service  on  every  side,  —  which 
position,  as  we  shall  not  have  occasion  to  again  mention 
her,  we  may  state  she  continued  to  hold  to  the  last.  In 
her  mastery  of  Abd-el-nour  she  found  a  congenial  field 
for  the  display  of  her  boasted  contempt  for  the  stronger 
sex. 

As  to  Crosslett,  otherwise  known  as  St.  George,  it 
may  be  interesting  to  mention  that,  after  his  action  con 
nected  with  the  rescue  of  Hilwe,  he  suddenly  developed 


582  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

a  more  aggressive  spirit  in  his  proselytizing  efforts, 
and,  if  possible,  was  more  eccentric  in  his  dress  and 
manners;  though,  as  hitherto,  in  general  his  demeanour 
was  calm  and  quiet.  But  there  were  occasions  when 
he  could  thunder  like  an  Elijah,  though  there  was  no 
visible  answer  by  fire. 

He  finally  was  drawn  into  trouble  with  the  local 
authorities,  through  his  distributing  bibles  in  the  Arabic 
language  among  Moslems,  which  is  contrary  to  the 
Turkish  law.  As  an  American,  the  Turks  had  no  power 
to  arrest  and  try  him.  He  had  the  privilege  of  being 
arrested,  tried  and  sentenced  by  his  consul,  before  whom 
he  was  summoned  on  the  Turkish  charges  being  duly 
presented. 

It  happened  to  be  in  the  winter  —  bitter  stormy 
weather,  and  Crosslett  appeared  at  the  consulate,  in  his 
scanty  attire,  with  no  covering  for  head,  legs  and  feet. 
He  was  pierced  with  the  cold,  his  lips  blue,  his  flesh 
ashy  pale.  His  poor  cotton  robe,  wet  with  the  rain, 
and  stained  with  the  clay  of  the  fields  in  which  he  had 
been  abiding,  was  scarcely  sufficient  to  cover  his  nudity, 
and  not  at  all  sufficient  to  protect  him  from  the  cold. 
He  was  truly  a  sorry-looking  figure  —  a  sight  to  draw 
pity  from  a  stone. 

The  consul  was  greatly  shocked. 

"  Crosslett,  you  are  killing  yourself,"  he  said. 

But  Crosslett  did  not  look  at  it  in  this  light. 

"  He  that  loseth  his  life  shall  find  it,"  he  said. 

"  You  know  how  anxious  your  friends  in  the  United 
States  are  that  you  should  return  to  them,"  urged  the 
consul. 

"  I  have  left  all  that  behind,"  was  the  answer.  "  Are 
they  not  a  froward  and  perverse  generation,  who  have 
made  filthy  lucre  their  god?  " 

When  the  charges  were  read  to  him,  Crosslett  ad 
mitted  they  were  true.  But  when  it  was  agreed  to 
withdraw  the  complaint  on  his  promising  to  comply 
with  the  law  in  future,  he  refused  to  make  such  a  com 
pact,  declaring  it  was  against  his  conscience. 

His  defence  was : 

"  I  am  only  bringing  back  to  you  the  book  you  gave 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  583 

to  us.  It  was  written  in  this  country.  The  voice  is  your 
Father's  voice.  I  am  returning  to  you  the  sacred  writ 
ings  which  we  had  of  you,  and  am  determined  to 
preach  to  you  The  Christ." 

He  spoke  so  beautifully,  the  holy  fire  burning  upon 
his  lips,  that  all  who  heard  him  were  moved  with  com 
passion  for  him,  and  deeply  impressed. 

"  Is  he  not  like  the  Master?"  said  one,  with  tears  in 
his  eyes. 

The  sympathies  of  the  consul  were  with  him;  and 
he  discharged  him  under  suspended  sentence ;  but  he 
felt  it  necessary  to  privately  admonish  him  to  be  more 
careful  in  the  future. 

Shortly  afterwards,  Crosslett  suddenly  disappeared, 
and  nothing  was  heard  of  him  for  more  than  a  year. 
Then  a  letter  was  received  from  him  by  the  consul, 
stating  that  he  was  in  India,  where,  in  connection  with 
the  missionaries,  he  had  done  some  work  which  had 
been  blessed  to  the  natives. 

As  no  further  was  heard  of  him,  it  was  thought  the 
earnest  and  guileless  man  met  with  his  death  at  the 
hands  of  some  of  the  fanatic  tribesmen,  with  whom  he 
had  been  seen.  Thus  he  probably  died  a  martyr  to  the 
cause. 

The  venerable  Anselmo  Jacobini  is  no  more.  He 
succumbed  to  a  severe  attack  of  Jerusalem  fever,  shortly 
after  the  return  of  Hassan.  The  murder  of  Amne  and 
her  son,  which  terrible  act,  with  Leone's  indirect  con 
nection  with  it,  coming  to  his  knowledge,  affected  him 
most  distressingly,  it  was  thought,  hastened  his  end. 
But,  as  his  death  occurred  so  long  afterward,  surely  the 
exhausting  fever  at  his  advanced  age  should  sufficiently 
account  for  his  sudden  taking  off. 

The  noble  old  Jew  lies  buried  in  that  ancient  necrop 
olis  of  his  race,  on  the  Mount  of  Olives,  the  seared 
unlovely  place  where  every  orthodox  Jew  hankers  to 
be  buried,  —  of  which  he  had  once  spoken  so  pathetic 
ally  to  the  Rabbi  Sloman,  and  which  his  windows,  from 
the  opposite  heights,  on  the  slopes  of  Mount  Zion,  com 
pletely  overlooked,  the  abrupt  gorge  of  the  Valley  of 


584  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

the  Cedron,  like  the  Valley  of  the  Shadow,  running 
between.  Latterly  he  had  continually  kept  it  in  sight, 
expecting  to  be  laid  there. 

It  cannot  be  thought  that  the  old  Venetian  Jew,  in 
his  desire  to  be  interred  in  this  most  dismal  of  cemeter 
ies  had  any  of  the  superstitious  dread  which  possesses 
so  many  of  the  Hebrews:  that  the  Jew  who  is  not 
buried  there  will,  at  the  last  day,  be  dragged  beneath 
the  earth,  with  fearful  maulings  and  beatings,  to  the 
Mount  of  Olives.  But  his  father  had  come  here,  to  die 
and  be  buried  on  the  Mount,  and  it  is  the  universal 
longing  of  his  people  to  be  gathered  there,  in  sight  of 
the  ancient  Holy  Place,  with  their  ancestors. 

That  he  had  been  disappointed  with  certain  features 
of  his  people  in  the  Holy  City  it  would  be  useless  to 
deny.  Their  obstructive  fanaticism  had  been  as  pro 
voking  and  injurious  in  the  case  of  his  benevolent 
intentions  as  it  had  been  in  that  of  Sir  Moses  Montefiore 
and  others  like  him.  Yet  he  did  not  forget  Jerusalem 
or  her  people.  Oh  no  ! 

"  If  I  forget  thee,  O  Jerusalem,  let  my  right  hand 
forget  her  cunning.  If  I  do  not  remember  thee,  let  my 
tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth ;  if  I  prefer  not 
Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy." 

With  what  a  passion  of  regretful  love  he  repeated 
those  words,  again  and  again,  always  ending  with : 
"  Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem :  they  shall  prosper 
that  love  thee."  His  great  disappointment  had  been 
his  failure  to  bring  abundant  water  into  the  city- — a 
beneficence  to  which  he  had  been  so  strongly  urged  by 
the  American  Consul.  Though  willing  to  subscribe 
munificently  to  this,  he  had  not  received  the  response 
his  liberality  and  the  importance  of  the  design  merited. 

Besides  the  large  amounts  of  money  he  had  expended 
for  various  benevolent  objects  during  his  residence  in 
the  city,  he  bequeathed  generous  sums  to  be  devoted  to 
the  elevation  of  the  Jews  in  Palestine  through  the  estab 
lishment  of  industrial  enterprises,  and  the  purchase  of 
land  for  colonising  purposes  and  the  encouragement  of 
agricultural  pursuits.  But  the  bulk  of  his  wealth,  which 
proved  to  be  far  beyond  anything  those  best  acquainted 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  585 

with  him  had  any  idea  of,  he  left  to  "  my  dear  nephew, 
the  Count  Leone  Spollato,  of  Naples,  the  only  child  of 
my  beloved  sister  Rachele,  and  the  last  of  the  Jacobini 
family." 

There  was  the  old  and  picturesque  family  palace  in 
Venice,  on  one  of  the  smaller  canals ;  and,  in  the  midst 
of  fine  grounds,  a  castellated  villa  near  Florence,  which 
the  French  would  call  a  chateau,  or  the  Germans  a 
schloss,  each  filled  with  costly  furniture,  and  a  valuable 
collection  of  works  of  art.  He  had  brought  only  a 
comparatively  small  amount  of  his  riches  to  Jerusalem. 
A  large  sum  was  banked  in  Venice,  a  still  larger  in 
Amsterdam,  that  city  of  Jewish  bankers.  But  these 
were  as  nothing  to  the  princely  fortune,  both  in  the  form 
of  gold  and  various  valuable  securities,  deposited  by 
him  in  the  Bank  of  England,  that  safety-vault  of  the 
world,  whose  stability  is  based  on  its  integrity,  guarded 
by  honour  and  wisdom,  as  the  old  man  was  never  tired 
of  saying.  For  he  had  a  great  respect  for  the  English. 

"  They  revere  our  sacred  books,"  he  said  ;  "  and  they, 
long  ago,  have  learned  the  secret  of  prosperity:  that 
honesty  is  the  best  policy.  Have  they  not  honoured 
with  the  highest  position  men  of  our  race?  And  in  the 
glorious  palace  of  their  parliament  have  they  not  the 
representation  of  our  great  lawgiver  descending  from 
Mount  Sinai,  bearing  the  tables  of  the  law?" 

Leone  was  disgusted  at  the  failure  of  all  his  efforts  to 
bring  the  cowardly  murderers  of  Amne  and  his  son  to 
justice.  Arrests  of  those  believed  to  be  the  culprits 
were  of  little  use.  He  inveighed  constantly  against  the 
supine,  procrastinating  Turkish  government,  as  the 
cause  of  the  trouble. 

"  Oh,  the  deceitfulness  of  the  Orientals — their  indo 
lence  and  dilatoriness  !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  Yet  it  is  as 
tonishing  how  suddenly  active  and  energetic  they  can 
become  under  some  personal  stimulus,  as,  for  instance, 
some  secret  object  or  end,  some  piece  of  mischief  or 
underhand  villainy  they  may  have  in  view." 

Yet  the  authorities  were  not  altogether  to  blame,  and, 
for  them,  had  been,  in  this  case,  unusually  energetic. 
They  could  get  no  witnesses.  The  difficulty  was  with 


586  Hassan:  a  Fellah 

the  fellaheen  who,  residing  in  their  strong  point, 
evasion,  would  not  tell  the  truth,  or  testify  against  one 
of  themselves,  no  matter  what  the  consequences. 

It  was  a  similar  case  to  that  of  the  lower  order  of  the 
Irish,  so  like  the  peasantry  of  Palestine  in  many  respects 
—  yes,  in  a  hundred  characteristics  and  habits  and 
ways :  no  matter  how  vile  the  criminal,  they  branded 
him  with  the  honour-mark  of  their  pseudo-patriotism ; 
when,  forthwith,  he  was  a  marytr  to  the  cause,  and  they 
would  die  sooner  than  deliver  him  up  to  justice.  To 
them,  justice  meant  government;  and  order,  law  and 
government  they  hated  and  were  against  by  their 
natural  instincts. 

Thinking  that  personal  investigation  might  avail 
where  other  methods  had  failed,  perhaps  through  the 
want  of  interest  on  the  part  of  those  intrusted  with  the 
case,  Leone  visited  the  accused  in  the  Turkish  prison 
in  Jerusalem,  determined  to  see  for  himself. 

He  was  satisfied !  — yes,  satisfied  of  the  difficulties  in 
the  case. 

"  Oh  that  most  unique  of  jails !  "  he  said,  recalling 
the  sight. 

It  seemed  a  pile  of  ancient  ruins.  The  gate  of  iron 
bars  was  in  an  archway  —  a  shallow  recess,  but  slightly  off 
the  street ;  and  on  each  side  was  a  small  guardhouse, 
not  much  larger  than  a  sentry-box,  built  in  the  stone 
wall. 

Approaching  the  gate,  accompanied  by  his  dragoman 
or  interpreter,  he  stood  and  looked  in.  No  objection 
was  made.  He  saw  the  wide  open  court  or  space  in 
the  centre  of  the  ruins,  in  which  every  prisoner  was  at 
large:  the  murderer  in  chains,  the  thief  with  ball 
attached  to  his  leg,  the  petty  offender,  the  disobedient 
son  put  in  on  the  simple  complaint  of  his  father,  all 
loose  together,  all  in  the  one  uncovered  space — not 
the  least  attempt  at  separate  or  solitary  confinement, 
scarcely  an  approach  to  classification  of  the  criminal. 

He  saw  the  prisoners  from  Malha ;  he  saw  those  in 
charge  of  them.  His  questions  were  answered  politely, 
with  the  ease  of  accomplished  prevaricators,  and  with 
such  wonderful  semblance  to  truth,  though  at  total 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  587 

variance  to  all  he  knew  of  the  facts,  that  it  staggered 
him. 

He  felt  like  a  fool  —  an  imbecile  walking  in  a  dream. 

He  had  not  stood  long  at  the  gate  before  he  was  per 
ceived  by  the  mass  of  the  incarcerated.  There  was  an 
immediate  rush  to  the  spot  by  the  miserable  wretches. 

"  Backsheesh  !  Backsheesh  !  " 

What  a  clamour  they  raised  !  What  a  deafening  din 
—  an  unholy  yelping,  as  of  mangy  pariah  dogs.  Some 
begged  for  tobacco,  others  requested  food,  but  the 
majority  implored  a  little  money.  Even  the  smallest 
Turkish  coin  would  be  acceptable.  It  was  like  pande 
monium  made  vocal,  or  a  glimpse  into  Dante's  hell.  He 
was  glad  to  escape  it  by  beating  a  hasty  retreat,  —  though 
he  could  not  blot  from  his  memory  the  sights  he  had 
beheld. 

After  this  his  dealings  with  the  Turkish  court  had 
plainly  reached  a  further  unfavourable  stage.  His  visit 
to  the  jail,  and  ineffectual  efforts,  no  doubt  had  been  duly 
reported.  And  though  he  was  courteously  received,  he 
felt  the  wind  had  changed  decidedly,  and  now  blew 
from  the  opposite  quarter. 

He  was  suavely  informed  he  had  no  reliable  evidence. 
In  Turkey  you  must  not  only  provide  witnesses  in  your 
law  suit,  but  others  who  swear  to  the  good  character 
and  credibility  of  the  former:  thus  seeming  to  admit 
the  frequency  of  perjury.  Those  willing  to  stoop  to  it 
can  procure  all  these  upon  the  street,  with  little  trouble, 
for  a  comparatively  small  amount  of  money.  The  more 
doubtful  the  case,  the  more  numerous  the  witnesses,  and 
the  more  skilful  are  they  in  lying. 

Finally  he  was  told  that  not  only  could  he  not  prove 
the  murder  of  the  supposed  victims,  but  he  could  not 
establish  the  fact  of  their  death.  He  had  not  been  able 
to  find  their  bodies.  How  could  he  tell  that  they  were 
not  living,  hidden  away  somewhere? 

He  was  quietly  advised  to  let  the  matter  drop.  But 
this  he  refused  to  do. 

A  few  days  after,  when  walking  in  the  street,  he  was 
surprised  to  see  two  of  the  Malha  prisoners  accompa 
nied  by  a  notorious  murderer  who  had  been  pointed  out 


588  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

to  him  on  his  visit  to  the  jail.  They  were  unguarded, 
and  were  evidently  walking  about  at  their  own  free  will. 

On  his  expressing  his  astonishment  at  this,  he  was 
informed  that  it  was  no  uncommon  sight.  And  when 
he  inquired  why  the  murderer  had  not  been  executed, 
it  was  explained  that  in  such  cases  capital  punishment 
was  not  inflicted  unless  the  criminal  confessed  to  having 
committed  the  murder,  no  matter  how  conclusive  the 
evidence  against  him  might  be.  A  term  of  imprison 
ment  was  usually  the  punishment  imposed.  In  this 
case  the  guilty  man  had  been  condemned  to  thirteen 
years'  confinement,  which  was  the  ordinary  sentence. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add  that  Leone  lost  his 
case.  In  fact,  it  was  thrown  out,  and  the  Malha  prison 
ers  were  at  once  liberated. 

Before  passing  from  the  subject,  it  would  be  unfair  not 
to  give  the  Turkish  government  credit  for  doing  much, 
of  late,  to  put  a  stop  to  the  more  barbarous  methods  of 
the  Fellaheen  and  Bedavvin  in  taking  the  law  into  their 
own  hands  —  especially  in  such  cases  as  that  of  Arnne, 
and  the  scarcely  less  fearful  crimes  connected  with  retal 
iation,  and  known  as  the  Thar  or  blood-feud.  On  learn 
ing  of  the  likelihood  of  there  being  any  such  acts  of 
violence  at  a  place,  the  authorities  see  that  troops  are 
sent  to  the  spot,  arrests  made,  and  the  people  impressed 
with  the  fact  that  the  power  of  inflicting  punishment  of 
the  sort  referred  to  is  the  prerogative  of  the  government, 
and  the  usurpation  of  it  a  serious  offence  against  the  law. 

Leone  had  done  what  he  could  to  bring  the  murderers 
to  justice.  He  was  told  on  all  sides  that  further  attempts 
on  his  part  would  be  useless.  With  the  attitude  of  the 
peasantry  upon  the  subject,  conviction  of  the  actors  in 
the  bloody  crime  would  be  impossible. 

Now  that  his  uncle  was  dead  and  his  affairs  in  the 
Holy  City  wound  up,  Leone  had  no  further  cause  for 
detention  in  Jerusalem,  which  had  grown  more  and 
more  distasteful  to  him.  It  was  with  a  sense  of  relief  he 
took  his  departure  from  it. 

Selim  had  expressed  a  strong  desire  to  accompany 
him,  as  body  servant,  or  in  any  other  capacity.  But 
Leone  resisted  the  warm  appeal  of  the  subtle  Oriental. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  589 

Perhaps  it  was  with  the  feeling  that,  at  least  for  awhile, 
he  wished  to  escape  the  entire  atmosphere  of  the  East, 
and  that  he  did  not  care  to  have  about  him  a  continual 
reminder  of  Jerusalem.  Leone  pacified  the  devoted 
servitor  with  a  generous  gift,  and  the  promise  that,  pos 
sibly,  after  a  time,  he  would  send  for  him.  It  was  'only 
a  half-promise ;  but  Selim  had  to  be  satisfied  with  it. 

Matters  connected  with  the  Jacobini  estate  in  Venice, 
Amsterdam  and  London  urgently  demanded  Leone's  at 
tention  and  presence.  As  his  more  important  business 
lay  in  London,  he  made  but  a  short  stay  in  each  of  the 
two  former  cities,  purposing  to  return  to  the  continent. 

With  the  intention  of  submitting  the  contents  to  the 
specialists  of  the  British  Museum,  he  brought  with 
him  the  antique  coffer  containing  the  invaluable  docu 
ments  and  relics  of  the  Jacobini  family,  which  had  been 
cherished  with  such  affection  and  reverence  by  his  fore 
fathers,  and  which  his  uncle  with  such  strict  injunctions 
had  delivered  into  his  hands. 

"  Yes ;  I  shall  have  the  opinion  of  the  savants  of  the 
world  upon  them,  if  necessary,  to  determine  and  establish 
the  truth  about  them,"  he  said.  "It  is  the  least  I  can 
do,  in  grateful  memory  of  my  uncle  Anselmo." 

As  he  stood  upon  the  deck  of  the  steamer  bound  for 
England  and  the  great  fortune  awaiting  him  there,  it 
would  have  been  strange  had  he  not  indulged  in  some  of 
the  dreams  and  anticipations  natural  to  the  young  man 
with  the  best  part  of  his  life  yet  to  live,  and  so  favourable 
a  future  opening  before  him.  But  if  any  unworthy  feel 
ings  occupied  him,  and  if  he  felt  impatient  at  delays, 
and  restive  at  the  memory  of  what  had  been  unhappy  or 
unpleasant  in  his  recent  years,  he  was  not  without  kind 
lier  and  more  generous  sentiments  as  he  looked  forward, 
and  thought  of  his  meeting  with  his  uncle  Giovanni  in 
Naples,  and  the  glad  surprise  and  proud  relief  the  change 
in  his  fortunes  would  bring  the  noble  old  man.  For  he 
had  determined,  on  completing  his  business  in  London, 
to  return  to  his  home  in  Naples. 

The  weather  had  been  threatening,  and,  toward  the 
close  of  the  day,  the  wind,  which  had  already  raised  a 
heavy  sea,  increased  in  violence,  and  began  to  blow  a 


59°  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

gale.  It  was  one  of  those  terrific  storms  which,  like 
a  rampant  dragon  of  the  deep,  haunt  the  English  coast, 
and  render  so  formidable  the  approaches,  and  the  nav 
igation  of  the  seas  surrounding  the  "  fortunate  island." 
The  vessel  went  lumbering  onward  uneasily  through  the 
darkness  that  gathered  with  the  tempest,  and  now  was 
in  great  danger,  as  the  guiding  and  warning  lights  on 
shore  had  been  blotted  out. 

All  the  night  long  the  heavy  seas  broke  upon  the 
island  beaches  with  sullen  steady  moan,  shaking  the 
bastion  rocks  to  their  foundations.  The  stars  were  ex 
tinguished  ;  and  there  was  a  horrible  impenetrable  black 
ness  upon  the  waste  of  waters,  as  if  the  spirit  of  God 
had  never  moved  upon  the  face  of  the  deep.  The  sharp 
rain,  with  the  hiss  of  a  demon,  swept  headlong  through 
the  boundless  spaces  of  the  chaos  to  mingle  with  the 
briny  spray  hurled  from  the  half-formed  crests  of  the 
toppling  waves  that  continually  lifted  themselves  with 
angry  menace.  One  would  say  that  nothing  could  live 
before  them,  they  would  overwhelm  the  stoutest  craft, 
and  all  the  power  of  man  be  but  weakness  in  their  pres 
ence —  like  a  pigmy  contending  with  a  giant.  At  times 
the  force  of  the  gale  gave  it  the  character  of  a  hurricane. 
A  blind  relentless  power,  yet  with  the  determination  of 
fate,  what  might  not  be  possible  to  it?  Men's  hearts 
failed  them  as  they  ploughed  through  the  turbulent 
vortex  —  the  hell-broth,  knowing  not  what  would  come 
next,  and  expecting  to  be  swallowed  up  the  succeeding 
moment.  Out  in  the  Channel  there  were  many  disas 
ters  and  wrecks ;  and  many  a  brave  soul  was  stricken 
from  the  body  that  night. 

While  it  was  yet  dark,  the  news  flashed  from  a  small 
fishing  village  to  a  near  life-station  that  a  large  steamer 
was  ashore  upon  the  rocks  and  was  fast  breaking  up. 
It  was  the  vessel  upon  which  Leone  was  travelling. 

"  This  is  a  time  when  money  avails  but  little,"  he  said. 
"  All  my  wealth  is  as  nothing  in  such  a  crisis  !  " 

"  If  we  can  only  hold  together  till  help  comes  !  "  was 
the  captain's  constant  thought. 

It  was  an  experience  to  try  men's  souls,  —  that  long 
anxious  waiting  in  the  darkness  and  the  storm.  But 


Hassan:  a  Fellah  591 

with  the  first  streak  of  dawn  the  lifeboat  was  along 
side.  Communication  had  been  established  with  the 
shore,  and  the  work  of  rescue  commenced,  Leone  being 
among  those  on  board  who  rendered  the  most  valuable 
assistance.  Perfect  order  prevailed ;  and  not  a  man  left 
the  ship  till  every  woman  was  safely  landed. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  enter  into  details.  Though  not  a 
life  was  lost,  scarcely  anything  else  was  saved.  The 
precious  coffer  containing  the  Jacobini  relics  was  sunk 
in  the  bottom  of  the  Channel,  —  that  vast  treasure-house 
of  untold  loss,  —  never  to  be  recovered. 

Leone  recalled  the  words  of  his  uncle  Anselmo  as  to 
the  fatality  pertaining  to  the  Davidic  dynasty  and  all 
connected  with  it.  And  though  he  spent  much  time 
and  money  in  attempts  to  recover  the  coffer,  which  were 
unsuccessful,  he  comforted  himself  with  the  thought 
that,  perhaps,  it  was  as  well  that  it  was  lost,  as  it  might 
have  proved  a  fatal  gift.  Men  less  superstitious  than  he 
might  have  believed  its  unhappy  influence  was  mani 
fested  in  the  shipwreck.  And  though  he  did  not  go 
quite  so  far  as  that,  yet  his  feelings  on  the  subject  cer 
tainly  lessened  his  regret  at  a  loss  which,  well-nigh, 
would  have  broken  the  heart  of  Anselmo  Jacobini. 

Leone  gave  expression  to  his  better  feelings  in  a  more 
wholesome  way — in  the  bestowal  of  a  generous  dona 
tion  upon  those  who  had  lost  their  all  in  the  disaster. 

The  varied  experiences  through  which  lately  he  had 
passed  could  not  but  impress  him  deeply.  They  had 
left  an  indelible  mark  upon  him  for  the  rest  of  his  life. 
Those  who  knew  him  intimately  said  he  was  a  sadder 
man,  more  thoughtful  and  more  kind. 

It  would  have  cost  him  much  to  have  spoken  the 
word  "  Amne."  But  he  could  not  help  thinking  all 
that  word  meant.  That  was  his  burden. 

It  was  a  happy  day  for  Leone,  when  he  once  more 
stood  within  the  home  of  his  boyhood,  —  his  uncle 
Giovanni's  house,  which  some  would  call  a  palace,  in 
his  beloved  Naples. 

It  was  with  difficulty  he  made  the  grand  old  count 
comprehend  the  immense  value  of  the  Jacobini  estate, 


592  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

of  which  he,  Leone,  had  now  become  possessed.  His 
uncle  had  told  him  with  heartfelt  pride  that,  at  last, 
through  much  exertion  and  careful  saving,  together 
with  a  fortunate  investment,  he  had  been  able,  in  some 
degree,  to  attain  the  great  object  of  his  latter  years  — 
to  restore  the  former  honour  and  standing  of  the  old 
Spollato  family. 

"  Even  now,"  he  said,  "  you  would  be  able  to  keep 
your  own  carriage  and  horses  on  the  Corso,  equal  to 
any  of  them.  Doubtless  the  Jacobini  money  will  go  to 
help  a  little,"  he  suggested  indifferently.  "  All  my 
hope  is  in  you,  Leone,  to  build  up  the  family  name," 
he  resumed  with  warmth.  "  And  I  look  to  your  mak 
ing  a  distinguished  alliance.  You  must !  Indeed  you 
must !  " 

Leone,  at  first,  could  not  bear  to  explain  all,  —  the 
proud  old  man  was  so  exultant  over  what  he  had 
achieved.  The  young  count  gently  chided  him  for  his 
self-sacrifice,  telling  him  that  his  beloved  nephew  was 
totally  unworthy  of  the  least  part  of  his  goodness. 

"Nay,  nay;  it  is  as  nothing,"  replied  his  uncle. 
"  Do  I  not  know  there  are  many  noble  families,  this 
day,  in  Italy  who  rent  the  front  of  their  palaces,  and 
live  in  the  rear  rooms  on  polenta  and  macaroni,  that 
they  may  be  able  to  keep  their  carriage  and  horses  on 
the  Corso?" 

When,  at  last,  Leone  told  him  all,  great  was  his 
uncle's  amazement  and  delight. 

"Who  could  imagine  it?"  he  exclaimed.  "The 
Jacobinis  always  lived  so  modestly  —  so  plainly.  How 
could  they  have  accumulated  so  quietly  all  this  wealth  ? 
But  remember,  Leone,"  he  added,  "  it  carries  with  it  a 
great  obligation." 

During  the  fashionable  season,  the  Spollato  carriage, 
the  family  arms  surmounted  with  a  coronet  upon  the 
panels,  was,  once  more,  a  well-known  object  upon  the 
Corso  Vittorio  Emanuele  in  Naples,  —  one  of  the  most 
enchantingly  beautiful  drives  in  the  world.  Within  the 
carriage  generally  might  be  seen  uncle  and  nephew,  in 
affectionate  companionship. 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  593 


CHAPTER   LVIII 

WHEN  Count  Leone  Spoliate  was  about  leaving 
the  Holy  City  and  Palestine,  there  was,  perhaps, 
none  of  the  many  penitent  and  generous  acts  of  which 
he  was  the  author  that  gave  him  more  satisfaction  than 
his  presenting  the  noble  steed  Al  Borak  to  Hassan.  It 
was  a  beautiful,  a  friendly,  and  a  righteous  thing  to  do. 

"  Has  he  not  paid  me  back,  a  thousand  times  over,  the 
paltry  sum  I  gave  for  him?  "  said  Leone,  when  Hassan 
remonstrated,  saying  he  had  taken  a  price,  even  money 
for  the  horse,  and  could  not  take  him  back.  "  But  if 
you  will  not  have  him  at  my  hand,  then  I  shall  give 
him  to  Hilwe  and  Talmai,  whose  lives  he  saved.  There 
is  none  other  to  give  him  to,  —  none  who  love  him  as 
you  all  do." 

Hassan,  while  thanking  Leone,  felt  the  gift  too  costly. 

"  Will  you  not  let  me  have  this  gratification?  "  impet 
uously  demanded  Leone.  "  Do  not  thank  me.  Do  you 
not  know  that  it  gives  me  greater  pleasure  to  see  you 
happy  than  to  be  happy  in  myself  through  some  selfish 
indulgence?  Oh,  that  the  world  would  only  know  that 
the  supreme  joy  is  to  drink  happiness  through  the  lips 
of  another.  It  took  me  long  to  find  it  out." 

After  this,  Hassan  was  obliged  to  give  way. 

The  faithful  horse  knew  his  old  stable,  and  loved  it 
better  far  than  the  finer  habitations  he  had  lodged  in 
since  leaving  Bettir.  Perhaps  he  felt  that,  next  to  the 
desert,  it  was  more  distinctively  home. 

It  was,  indeed,  a  goodly  sight  to  see  the  old  sheik, 
Abou  Chalil  mounted  upon  the  horse,  Hassan  walking 
on  one  side,  Chalil,  the  young  sheik,  on  the  other, —  as 
they  passed  through  the  gate  of  Bettir,  every  one  who 
sat  there,  young  and  old,  rising  up  to  do  the  patriarch  — 
the  "  father  of  his  people"  —  reverence.  Great  was  the 
pride  of  the  villagers  in  the  horse ;  and  they  were  never 
tired  of  repeating  that  he  was  descended  from  the 
charger  of  the  Prophet,  and  did  honour  to  Bettir. 

38 


594  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

The  days  and  the  years  pass  swiftly  yet  quietly,  and 
free  from  exciting  events,  at  Bettir.  Chalil,  who,  with 
the  veneration  of  the  true  worshipper,  always  hid  in  his 
heart  his  great  and  hopeless  love  for  Hilwe,  at  last  sat 
isfied  the  sheik,  and  comforted  himself  by  taking  to  wife 
one  of  the  fairest  maidens  of  Bettir.  She  was  chosen 
for  him  by  his  father,  who  longed  to  see  his  son's  children 
before  he  died,  in  which  the  old  man,  in  due  time,  was 
fully  gratified.  But  the  love  of  Hassan  and  Chalil  re 
mained,  the  love  passing  the  love  of  women. 

Hassan,  who  is  now  the  father  of  a  second  son,  is  the 
scribe  and  learned  man  of  the  village,  who  keeps  the 
accounts,  and  so  well,  that  the  oppressive  tax  collectors 
cannot  impose  upon  the  people.  All  who  have  any 
grievance  or  dispute  come  to  him  to  settle  the  trouble, 
or  to  get  his  advice.  Occasionally  even  some  one  from 
Malha  comes.  And  this  duty  he  freely  renders.  Only 
that  he  always,  in  anything  of  importance,  refers  the 
matter  to  the  venerable  sheik,  duly  honouring  him. 

When  the  day's  labour  is  done,  the  favourite  place 
of  meeting  for  social  converse  is  before  Hassan's  house. 
Here  the  sheik  and  Chalil,  with  the  women  and  children, 
often  come. 

Frequently,  at  the  peaceful  hour,  Hassan  reads  from 
some  book  to  the  villagers,  or  tells  them  some  flowery 
story  of  ancient  times  or  out  of  his  own  experience,  than 
which  nothing  gives  them  greater  delight. 

The  evening  of  a  bright  day  is  closing  down  upon  the 
family  group  gathered  before  Hassan's  door.  Hilwe, 
patient,  sweet  and  beautiful  as  ever,  and  her  children  are 
there ;  and  the  sheik,  with  Chalil  and  his  wife  and  first 
child,  are  given  the  places  of  honour.  Hassan,  again  in 
the  garments  of  the  country,  is  entertaining  them  as  host. 
Through  the  open  doorway  a  glimpse  of  the  interior  of 
the  house  is  had,  showing  the  famous  leopard-skin 
spread  upon  the  floor.  Hilwe  takes  good  care  of  that 
skin.  No  boot  or  shoe  treads  upon  it  —  only  the  un 
covered  foot  touches  it.  The  soft  violet  tones  that  pen 
sive  Nature  loves  so  well  are  moderating  and  subduing 
the  colours  of  tree  and  earth,  sky  and  water,  and  multi- 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  595 

plying  shadows  and  picturesque  effects.  Back  of  all,  in 
magnificent  contrast,  high  against  the  firmament  of  fading 
blue,  a  mass  of  flame-coloured  cloud,  like  a  vast  mountain 
range,  is  catching  the  last  gold-and-crimson  glory  of  the 
sunset,  holding  itself  proudly  aloft,  like  a  Himalayan 
summit.  The  gray  and  brown  rocky  tells  of  Bettir  are 
lifted  high  against  it  as  if  trying  to  scale  the  greater 
eminence ;  but  they  still  are  far  below,  wrapped  in 
shade. 

In  the  midst  Hassan  sits  and  reads.  And  as  he  rolls 
off  the  Arabic,  in  his  deep  voice,  he  reverently  bows  his 
head,  almost  at  every  word,  after  the  habit  of  the  coun 
try  when  any  sacred  writing  is  read.  How  musically 
sonorous,  so  different  from  the  ordinary  reader,  pour 
the  tones  from  that  rich  bass  throat.  It  is  the  voice  of 
a  whole-souled  man. 

These  are  the  translated  words : 

"  And  he  shewed  me  a  pure  river  of  water  of  life, 
clear  as  crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God 
and  of  the  Lamb.  In  the  midst  of  the  street  of  it,  and 
on  either  side  of  the  river,  was  there  the  tree  of  life, 
which  bare  twelve  manner  of  fruits,  and  yielded  her  fruit 
every  month :  and  the  leaves  of  the  tree  were  for  the 
healing  of  the  nations." 

Hassan  paused ;  he  knew  the  passage  well ;  and  the 
sheik,  who  was  listening  intently,  leaned  forward  to 
speak. 

"  The  words  are  pleasant  and  good,"  he  said.  "  Read 
it  again,  Hassan." 

And  Hassan  read  it  again. 

"  Read  it  the  third  time." 

Hassan  read  it  the  third  time.  And  ever  the  words 
sounded  grander,  and  sweeter,  and  more  blessed.  Had 
he  read  it  a  hundred  times,  it  would  have  been  the  same. 

"Is  it  not  like  unto  Bettir?"  said  the  sheik. 

"  Yea,  it  is  like  unto  Bettir,  only  it  is  far  better  than 
Bettir.  It  is  the  heavenly  Paradise." 

Hassan,  thus  replying,  read  on  further : 

"  There  shall  be  no  more  curse.  .  .  .  They  shall  see 
his  face.  .  .  .  There  shall  be  no  night  there.  .  .  .  And 
they  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever-" 


596  Hassan  :  a  Fellah 

He  ended  with  the  impressive  blessing. 

It  was  the  utterance  of  a  banished  man,  shut  out  from 
the  world  and  his  kind,  and  face  to  face  with  his  Maker 
—  the  testimony  of  the  beloved  disciple  John,  who  had 
leaned  on  the  bosom  of  Jesus.  It  was  the  ancient  in 
spiration  —  the  voice  of  the  land.  How  could  it  help 
but  touch  the  people  of  the  land? 

"  Now  praise  be  to  Allah  that  I  have  heard  those 
glorious  words  !  "  said  the  sheik.  "  They  are  a  comfort 
to  my  soul  against  the  day,  which  is  nigh  at  hand,  when 
I  shall  be  gathered  to  my  fathers.  " 

The  twilight  was  deepening.  Hassan  had  closed  the 
book.  But  the  sheik  pondered.  He  had  many  ques 
tions  to  ask.  So  had  the  others. 

"  Where  didst  thou  get  the  precious  writing,  Hassan?  " 
inquired  the  sheik.  "  How  didst  thou  come  by  it?" 

"  Ah  !  "  quoth  Hassan  meditatively,  "  I  shall  tell  thee : 
I  have  had  the  book  a  long  time.  I  kept  it  hidden  in  a 
space  between  the  stones  in  the  wall  of  the  house.  It 
was  there  when  they  made  soldiers  of  Chalil  and  me,  and 
carried  us  out  of  the  country.  And  I  found  it,  on  my 
return,  even  as  I  had  left  it.  When  I  was  a  lad,  and 
went  as  dragoman  to  Jaffa,  it  was  given  me  by  an  English 
lady  from  Ireland  —  at  least  she  spoke  English.  She 
healed  the  sick,  helped  the  needy,  and  brought  to  all  in 
Jaffa  words  of  peace  —  'glad  tidings  of  great  joy'  she 
called  them.  Her  name?  Ah,  do  I  not  remember  it! 
It  was  Mangan.  She  was  like  an  angel.  They  called 
her,  as  well  they  might,  '  Our  bright-faced  lady.'  Oh, 
was  she  not  a  gracious  lady !  Her  face  was  as  the  sun 
shine  of  God. " 

And  so  the  voices  ran  on,  in  murmurous  parley,  suited 
to  the  darkening  hour,  and  mingling  dreamily  in  one 
harmonious  melody  with  the  crisping  rush  of  the  water 
in  the  near-by  aqueduct.  For,  as  Hassan  had  said, 
"  there  is  much  water  at  Bettir.  Thou  hast  not  to  go 
far  to  draw  it." 

Thus  Hassan  sat  beneath  his  own  vine  and  fig-tree  — 
unashamed,  contented,  happy  with  Hilwe  and  his  chil 
dren.  Little  did  he  reck  that  he  was  a  descendant  of 


Hassan  :  a  Fellah  597 

the  ancient  princes  of  the    land,  —  at  heart  always  a 
shepherd. 

"  I  have  seen  servants  upon  horses,  and  princes  walk 
ing  as  servants  upon  the  earth,"  saith  Solomon. 

The  simple  story  is  told.  Why  should  more  words 
be  spent  upon  it?  Though  there  is  no  end  to  what 
might  be  said  of  the  land  called  "  Holy." 

It  is  like  the  blowing  of  the  wind  over  the  face  of  the 
deep,  or  the  passing  of  the  clouds  over  the  changeless 
blue  of  the  sky,  or  the  stalking  of  the  shadow  across 
miles  of  mountain.  The  background  is  unaltered,  and 
remains  inviolate. 

The  incidents  —  the  waves  raised  by  the  breezes  of 
circumstance  and  occasion  —  have  settled  back  into  the 
calm  level  of  the  sea  whence  they  had  arisen.  And  all 
is  well ;  for  God  lives. 


THE   END. 


Date  Due 


PRINTED   IN    U.S. 


CAT.    NO.   24    161 


